Maternal Depression in Rural Pakistan: The Protective Associations with Cultural Postpartum Practices

Citation

LeMasters, Katherine; Andrabi, Nafeesa; Zalla, Lauren C.; Hagaman, Ashley K.; Chung, Esther O.; Gallis, John A.; Turner, Elizabeth L.; Bhalotra, Sonia; Sikander, Siham; & Maselko, Joanna (2020). Maternal Depression in Rural Pakistan: The Protective Associations with Cultural Postpartum Practices. BMC Public Health, 20(1), 68. PMCID: PMC6964000

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Traditional postpartum practices are intended to provide care to mothers, but there is mixed evidence concerning their impact on postpartum depression (PPD). It remains unknown if there is a unique impact of postpartum practices on PPD separately from other types of social support, or if practices differentially affect those with existing prenatal depression. In Pakistan, chilla (چله) is a traditional postpartum practice in which women receive relief from household work, additional familial support, and supplemental food for up to 40 days postpartum. This study aims to understand if chilla protects against PPD independent of other support and whether this relationship varies by prenatal depression status.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-8176-0

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

BMC Public Health

Author(s)

LeMasters, Katherine
Andrabi, Nafeesa
Zalla, Lauren C.
Hagaman, Ashley K.
Chung, Esther O.
Gallis, John A.
Turner, Elizabeth L.
Bhalotra, Sonia
Sikander, Siham
Maselko, Joanna

Year Published

2020

Volume Number

20

Issue Number

1

Pages

68

PMCID

PMC6964000

Reference ID

12602