Abstract
BackgroundPsychosocial health problems, specifically depression during pregnancy, can have negative impact on birth outcomes, postnatal mental health of the mother, and infant health. Antenatal depression is more prevalent among women in low- and middle-income countries than among women in high-income countries. Risk factors for antenatal depression reported in the literature relate to pregnant women in South Asia. Consequently, this study assessed depression in pregnancy and related psychosocial risk factors among select pregnant women residing in Mwanza region, Northern Tanzania.MethodsWe analysed data from 397 pregnant women recruited from three antenatal clinics for the period June—August 2013 for this cross-sectional study. Women provided data at one time point during their pregnancy by completing the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and a structured questionnaire assessing psychosocial, demographic, and behavioural risk factors related to antenatal depression. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship between risk factors examined and antenatal depression.ResultsOverall, 33.8 % (n = 134) of pregnant women had antenatal depression. Pregnancy-related anxiety was associated with antenatal depression (odds ratio (OR) 1.36, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.23 to 1.5). Pregnant women with poor relationship with partner and low/moderate socio-economic status had the highest OR for antenatal depression (82.34, 95 % CI 4.47, 1516.60) after adjusting for other covariates. Pregnant women with poor relationship with partner and high socio-economic status had an OR of 13.48 (95 % CI 1.71, 106.31) for antenatal depression. “Reference” pregnant women were those with very good relationship with partner and high socio-economic status.ConclusionsHigh proportion of self-reported depression among select pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Mwanza, Tanzania merit integrating depression assessment into existing antenatal care services. Health care providers need to assess pregnancy-related risk factors (pregnancy-related anxiety), socio-demographic factors (socio-economic status), and interpersonal risk factors (relationship with partner). Future research should appraise effectiveness of interventions that enhance partner relationships in reducing antenatal depression across all wealth distributions.
Highlights
Psychosocial health problems, depression during pregnancy, can have negative impact on birth outcomes, postnatal mental health of the mother, and infant health
We aimed to determine the proportion of antenatal depression among select pregnant women in Mwanza region, northern Tanzania with antenatal depression and explore risk factors associated with antenatal depression
The primary aim of this study was to determine the proportion of antenatal depression among select pregnant women, which was calculated by dividing the number of women categorized as having antenatal depression by the total number of women participating in the study multiplied by 100
Summary
Psychosocial health problems, depression during pregnancy, can have negative impact on birth outcomes, postnatal mental health of the mother, and infant health. Risk factors for antenatal depression reported in the literature relate to pregnant women in South Asia. This study assessed depression in pregnancy and related psychosocial risk factors among select pregnant women residing in Mwanza region, Northern Tanzania. A systematic review of 21 studies on antenatal depression reported an overall prevalence of 10.7 %, though variability was noted in the individual studies (representing upper middle and high-income countries) [2]. The available literature, suggests higher rates of antenatal depression in low- and middle-income countries [11]. A systematic review of studies spanning 17 low- and middle-income countries reported a 15.6 % weighted mean prevalence of non-psychotic common perinatal mental disorders [12]. The weighted mean prevalence of maternal mental health disorders varied between low- and middle-income countries. A study undertaken in a Tanzania peri-urban setting (an area transitioning between urban and rural; Chamazi and Mbagala), reported an antenatal depression rate as high as 39.5 % [14]
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