Post-partum depression and the mother-infant relationship in a South African peri-urban settlement

Background: Post-partum depression in the developing world has received little research attention, and its association with disturbances in the mother- infant relationship is unknown. Aims: To determine the prevalence of post-partum depression and associated disturbances in the mother-infant relationship in Khayelitsha, a South African peri-urban settlement. Method: The mental state of 147 women who had delivered two months previously was assessed, and the quality of their engagement with their infants was determined. Results: The point prevalence of DSM-IV major depression was found to be 34.7%. Maternal depression was associated with poor emotional and practical support from the partner. It was also associated with insensitive engagement with the infants. Conclusions: The rate of post-partum depression in Khayelitsha was around three times that found in British post-partum samples, and these depressions were strongly associated with disturbances in the mother-infant relationship. Declaration of interest: This study was conducted with the support of the Welcome Trust.