This study was to investigate the degree of postpartum depression and its predictors at six months postpartum.

The subjects were 161 women six months after delivery who were registered with the public health center. The instruments included a survey of various characteristics, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale(EPDS), husband support, maternal self-esteem, and marital adjustment scale. The data was analyzed using the χ²-test, t-test, the Pearson correlation coefficients, and the logistic regression.

The point prevalence of postpartum depression at six months postpartum was 14.3%, corresponding to a score of 12 or higher on the EPDS. Postpartum depression was significantly associated with husband support, maternal self-esteem, and marital adjustment. Predictors of postpartum depression identified by the logistic regression analysis include marital adjustment (OR .29 [95% CI .13-.61]) and the delivery method(OR 3.57 [95% CI 1.25-10.23]).

Strategies for improving postpartum depression, considerations of husband support and maternal self-esteem are important in research and practice. In addition, interventions for reducing Cesarean delivery and improving marital adjustment are needed.