SOCIAL SUPPORT AND THE ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS FOR POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION AMONG MOTHERS ATTENDING PRIMARY CARE CENTERS IN MALAYSIA. Abstract Background/Objectives: Postpartum Depression (PPD) is the most common maternal distress worldwide. PPD negatively impacts mothers, infants, and the family, affecting psychosocial and economic well-being. The study aims to determine the prevalence of Postpartum Depression in mothers attending primary care centres and the associated risk factors, including perceived social support and breastfeeding experiences. Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed 230 mothers up to three months postpartum attending two maternal and child clinics in Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia, from August to November 2022. Three self-report measures were used, namely the sociodemographic and clinical questionnaires, The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) to assess depression and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) to measure the level of perceived social support. Results: The prevalence of Postpartum Depression was 2.6%. Univariate analysis found that duration of postpartum, employment status, income groups, depressed mood during pregnancy and presence of breastfeeding difficulties were significantly associated with Postpartum Depression. Predictors of Postpartum Depression were the high-income group (P 0.044 or 10.76 95% CI 1.07-108.76), depressed mood during pregnancy (P 0.026 or 8.31 95% CI 1.29-53.47) and breastfeeding difficulties (P 0.018 or 15.14 95% CI 1.59-144.54). Conclusion: Postpartum Depression is prevalent in the community. General and targeted Postpartum Depression screening should be done early. Breastfeeding educators’ services should be feasible for the mother to reduce the risk of Postpartum Depression.

In Malaysia, academic personnel are under pressure to build international reputation, increase funding and are expected to perform in the key performance indicators to bring education to an international standard. A cross sectional study was conducted among the academicians in Science and Technology faculties in UiTM. The participants were emailed the questionnaires and asked to complete questionnaires on their socio-demographic, Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, Job Satisfaction Survey and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale. A total of 129 academicians participated in the study with the mean age of 39 years old (SD=7.8). Majority were female, Malays and married. The average teaching hours per week was 13 hours (SD=5.3). The prevalence of stress was 6.2%, depression 11.7% and anxiety 18.7%. Majority has mild to moderate work, personal and client-related burnout. There is inverse correlation between job satisfaction and burnout. Academicians from science and technology faculties have high prevalence of anxiety and moderate prevalence of depression compared to general population. There is low job satisfaction level due to high work-related burnout. It needs to be addressed to ensure academicians have good mental wellbeing to execute their roles.