Risk factors of paternal postnatal depression in Asia : a systematic review

Abstract

Introduction: Paternal postnatal depression could result in detrimental consequence. Effective detection and intervention strategies to prevent paternal postnatal depression require identifying its risk factors, which may not different in the Asia settings where fathers may have some different emotional perception and experience. Objective: A systematic review to determine the risk factors of paternal postnatal depression in Asia. Methods: A literature search was carried out in electronic databases including PubMed, Wanfang Data, Cochrane, China Journal Net and CNKI from 1990 to July 2015. Information including study year, study population, sample size, the mean age of the sample, the study design, methods to determine depression and the associations of potential risk factors with paternal postnatal depression were extracted from the included studies. Results: 10 articles were included in the systematic review. The average prevalence is 13.94% across the 10 studies. Most common risk factors of paternal postnatal depression included new fathers who perceived lower level of social support, experienced high level of stress, and partner’s having depression within 4 months postnatal. Antenatal problems including having lower marriage quality and unplanned pregnancy were also significant predictors of paternal postnatal depression. Conclusion: This systematic review highlighted the need and directions for early detection and prevention of paternal postnatal depression in Asia settings. Interventions to prevent paternal postnatal depression such as provision of cultural specific health education and social support targeting fathers before and after pregnancy as well as establishment of paternity leave may be explored in the Asian settings.