Abstract
Postpartum care is a critical phase for maternal recovery, yet in Bangladesh, it often overlooks mental
health dimensions, leading to widespread postpartum depression (PPD) and related challenges. This
systematic review synthesizes evidence from 37 primary studies (2015–2025) on neglected aspects of
maternal well-being, focusing on PPD prevalence, risk factors, and care gaps in urban and rural
settings. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we searched databases like PubMed, Scopus, and
Google Scholar, identifying 5425 records, screening 120 full texts, and including 37 eligible primary
sources after exclusions for reviews, non-English, unpublished, or secondary articles. Key findings
reveal PPD prevalence ranging from 18% to 52% in Bangladesh, influenced by socioeconomic
stressors, intimate partner violence (IPV), unintended pregnancies, and limited postnatal care (PNC)
access. Urban slums show higher burdens (up to 39.4%), while rural areas highlight cultural stigma
and inadequate support. A summary table details authors, research types, methodologies, and findings,
emphasizing neglected dimensions like social isolation and healthcare inequities. Review finds that
approaches like home visits and tele-mental health are effective in reducing symptoms, but ultimately
not scalable. Discussion considers policy implications and highlights the importance of integrated
mental health into maternal services. More research is needed to support country-wide interventions
that can rectify these shortcomings, with likely meaningful declines in maternal mortality and
improved child-related outcomes. This review underscores the demand for comprehensive postpartum
care in Bangladesh to nurture maternal resilience and health.
Keywords: postpartum depression, maternal mental health, postnatal care, Bangladesh, social
determinants, PRISMA
