Women living in large cities have a greater risk of postpartum depression than women in rural areas, according to a study published Tuesday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

“Living in an urban area is a marker of more stress, less support and a potentially higher risk of postpartum depression for women,” says lead author of the study Dr. Simone Vigod, a psychiatrist at Women’s College Hospital.

Postpartum depression can begin shortly after a woman gives birth and risk factors include a history of depression and lack of social support.

The results are based on data of almost 6,500 women who participated in the 2006 study. Overall, the prevalence of postpartum depression five to 14 months after giving birth was 7.5 per cent.

But among women living in urban areas, nearly 10 per cent reported postpartum depression compared with 6 per cent in rural areas, 7 per cent in semirural and about 5 per cent in semiurban areas.

Rural is defined as settlements smaller than 1,000 people, semirural as smaller than 30,000, semiurban as 30,000 to 499,999 and urban as more than 500,000.

The study accounted for variables such as age, marital status, place of birth, a history of depression and complications during pregnancy or delivery as well as whether women commuted to larger urban centres. It also considered other factors that accompany social isolation, such as immigrant status, interpersonal violence, self-perceived health and social support.

Researchers note that urban cities have more immigrants and more women who report having little or no social support during and after pregnancy.

“It’s really important for new parents, both moms and dads, to get connected to a support network,” says Claire Kerr-Zlobin, founder of Life with a Baby.

“I would suggest getting connected with the Ministry program Healthy Babies, Healthy Children and Life with a Baby. We need to ensure new families have a circle of support.”

I’m surprised by the results, thinking that women in urban areas have access to more services and opportunity for social connection. I would have thought living in rural areas would be more isolating!

What do you think of the results of this study?