Ukrainian Journal Health of Woman. 2026. 3(184): 14-19. doi: 10.15574/HW.2026.3(184).141
Atamoghlanova G. K.
Azerbaijan Medical University, Baku

For citation: Atamoghlanova GK. (2026). The Use of the Postnatal Depression Screening Scale for the early detection of postpartum depression and the assessment of the psychoemotional state of women in the postpartum period. Ukrainian Journal Health of Woman. 3(184): 14-19. doi: 10.15574/HW.2026.3(184).1419
Article received: Apr 01, 2026. Accepted for publication: Jun 01, 2026.

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common psychiatric disorder of the postpartum period that can adversely affect maternal well-being and early mother-infant interaction. Timely identification requires practical standardized screening approaches.
Aim – to evaluate the utility of the Postnatal Depression Screening Scale (PDSS) for early detection of PPD and to assess the psychoemotional status of women in the early postpartum period.
Materials and methods. A comparative study included 106 women in the early postpartum period: 35 women with clinically diagnosed PPD and 71 women with an uncomplicated physiological postpartum course and no signs of PPD. Psychoemotional status was assessed using the 35-item PDSS; a total score ≥65 points indicated high risk of PPD.
Results. PPD was identified in 35/106 women (33.0%). The mean PDSS score was 76.6±4.52 points in the PPD group versus 43.66±1.0 points in the Сontrol group, an absolute between-group difference of 32.94 points. All 35 women with clinically diagnosed PPD had a PDSS score ≥65 points. The most frequent manifestations were sleep disturbances, nocturnal awakenings with panic attacks, decreased appetite, and excessive anxiety regarding the newborn’s condition; insomnia, difficulty making decisions, and thoughts of self-harm occurred in 91.4%.
Conclusion. Women with clinically diagnosed PPD had markedly higher PDSS scores than the Control group, and all women in the PPD group met the PDSS high-risk threshold. These findings support the clinical utility of the PDSS for identifying women who require further psychological or psychiatric assessment in the early postpartum period.
The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent from women was obtained for the study.
The author declares no conflict of interest.
Keywords: postpartum depression, psychoemotional status, screening, Postnatal Depression Screening Scale (PDSS).

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