Validation of the Arabic version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and prevalence of postnatal depression on an Algerian sample

Abstract

This research is intended to validate the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), to determine the best cut-off and the prevalence of postnatal depression in Laghouatis community. Fifty three women attending vaccination consultation in tow MIP (Maternal and Infantil Protection) in Laghouat (south of Algeria) completed the EPDS and BDI. The study of its sensitivity, specificity and predictive values, with a BDI as the reference, found that 13 was the best cut-off score. The correlation coefficient of the total score of the Arabic version of EPDS with BDI total score was 0.69, internal consistency and reliability was also good. Factor analysis showed that its internal structure is composed of three subscales (F1, depression), (F2,Sadness), (F3, self-harm).The Arabic version of the EPDS was found to be a selfrating scale with good psychometric characteristics which measures what it claims to measure. And a prevalence of post natal depression in this sample was 28.30% .