Abstract
BackgroundPostpartum depressive symptoms are the occurrence of major depressive episode within 4 weeks following delivery. Globally, 10%–20% of mothers suffer from depressive symptoms during their postpartum course. Therefore, assessing postpartum depressive symptoms has a pivotal role in ensuring that their mental health needs are met.MethodsAn institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted including 511 mothers coming for postnatal care service in public health centers in Bahir Dar Town. Data were collected using a pre-tested, structured, and interviewer-administered questionnaire, while the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to assess individuals’ depressive symptoms. The systematic random sampling technique was employed to recruit the study participants. Adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to declare the statistical significance of the factors.ResultsPostpartum depressive symptoms among mothers were found to be 22.1 (95%, CI 18.6%, 25.8%). In multivariate logistic regression, stressful life events (AOR = 4.46, 95% CI 2.64, 7.54), domestic decision making (AOR = 4.26, 95% CI 2.54, 7.14), unplanned pregnancy (AOR = 1.86, 95% CI 1.02, 3.41), partner violence (AOR = 3.16, 95% CI 1.76, 5.67), and hospitalization of their babies (AOR = 2.24, 95% CI 1.17, 4.310) were factors significantly associated with postpartum depressive symptoms.ConclusionsPostpartum depressive symptoms among mothers were common in the study area. Stressful life events, lack of empowerment in domestic decision making, intimate partner violence, unplanned pregnancy, and hospitalization of their baby were factors significantly associated with postpartum depression. The Ministry of Health needs to give training on how to screen postpartum depressive symptoms among mothers, and interventions that would address the above factors would benefit in tackling further complications.
Highlights
Depression is one of the most frequent psychiatric conditions among reproductive-age women [1]
This study revealed that the prevalence of postpartum depressive symptoms was found to be 22.1% (95%, confidence interval (CI) 18.6%, 25.8%)
The current study result is in line those of others studies carried out in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and Pakistan, with the prevalence estimated at 19%, 20%, 22.9%, and 22.3%, respectively [5, 15, 32, 33]
Summary
Depression is one of the most frequent psychiatric conditions among reproductive-age women [1]. It is the leading contributor to disease burden among childbearing women with depressive episode within 4 weeks following childbirth [2]. Postpartum depressive symptoms have physical and mental health consequences for mothers and their families. Depressed mothers provide inadequate care to their children, show negative parenting behavior, and present poor mother– infant bonding [18]. Children of depressed mothers had impaired emotional, social, and cognitive development [19,20,21]. Postpartum depressive symptoms are the occurrence of major depressive episode within 4 weeks following delivery. Assessing postpartum depressive symptoms has a pivotal role in ensuring that their mental health needs are met
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