POSTNATAL BLUES: A MIRAGE OR REALITY

Abstract

• Postpartum blues is real and prevalent among Nigerian women. • Postpartum blues affects almost half of women following delivery. • Associated factors are female baby, preterm delivery, postpartum complications and average annual family income. Postpartum blues usually connotes a brief psychological disturbance in mood within few days of delivery. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of postnatal blues and associated risk factors in a population of Nigerian women. We performed a cross-sectional study involving 292 parturients on third day of the delivery in our center between April 2019 and August 2019. Postnatal blues was assessed with Kennerly and Gath Blues questionnaire and a mean score of greater than 7 was taken as cut-off. They also completed Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) questionnaires. Socio-demographic characteristics were also obtained. The prevalence of postnatal blues was 45.5%. Postnatal blues was associated with birth of a female baby (50% compared with 40%, adjusted OR 2.37 95% CI 1.29–4.31, p = 0.005), preterm delivery (66.7% compared with 42.6%, adjusted OR 3.79 95% CI 1.54–9.31, p = 0.004); and puerperal complications. (58.3% compared with 44.4%, adjusted OR 5.25 95% CI 1.71–16.07) and average annual family income ( p < 0.001). Postnatal blues is real and prevalent among Nigerian women. Healthcare providers should endeavor to be vigilant in order to diagnose postnatal blues promptly and do the necessary follow up.