Abstract
BackgroundThere is a high prevalence of antenatal depression and low birth weight (LBW) (< 2.5 kg) in Ethiopia. Prior evidence revealed that the association between antenatal depression and LBW in high- and low-income countries is conflicting. The effect of antenatal depression on birth weight is under-researched in Ethiopia. We aimed to examine the independent effect of antenatal depression on newborn birth weight in an urban community in Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsA total of 970 pregnant women were screened for antenatal depression in their second and third trimester of pregnancy through the use of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). A logistic regression model was used to adjust confounders and determine associations between antenatal depression and low birth weight. Information was collected on the birth weight of newborns and mother’s socio-demographic, anthropometric, obstetric, clinical, psychosocial, and behavioral factors.ResultsThe cumulative incidence of LBW was found to be 27.76%. The cumulative incidence of LBW in those born from depressed pregnant women was 40% as compared to 21% in none depressed. While considering all other variables constant, mothers who had antenatal depression were 2.51 (COR = 2.51 (95 CI: 1.87, 3.37)) more likely to have a child with low birth weight. After adjusting for potential confounders, antenatal depression in the second and third trimester of pregnancy (AOR = 1.92 (95% CI: 1.31, 2.81)) remained significantly associated with LBW. Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) ≤21, lack of ANC follow up, and preterm births were also associated with LBW.ConclusionThis study showed that antenatal depression during the second and third trimester of pregnancy is associated with LBW of newborns and replicates results found in high-income countries. Linking early screening, detection, and treatment of antenatal depression into routine antenatal care could be essential to improve pregnancy outcomes.
Highlights
There is a high prevalence of antenatal depression and low birth weight (LBW) (< 2.5 kg) in Ethiopia
Despite the improvement in health care services in Ethiopia, the status of LBW increases from time to time [28, 29]. This might be due to the recently reported high frequency of antenatal depression reported in a different region of Ethiopia. In this prospective community-based study, we addressed this shortcoming by examining the association between antenatal depression during the second and the third trimester of pregnancy and LBW neonates among urban women in Ethiopia
While considering all other variables constant, mothers who had antenatal depression were 2.51 (COR = 2.51 (95 Confidence Interval (CI): 1.87, 3.37)) more likely to have a child with low birth weight
Summary
There is a high prevalence of antenatal depression and low birth weight (LBW) (< 2.5 kg) in Ethiopia. Prior evidence revealed that the association between antenatal depression and LBW in high- and low-income countries is conflicting. The effect of antenatal depression on birth weight is under-researched in Ethiopia. We aimed to examine the independent effect of antenatal depression on newborn birth weight in an urban community in Northwest Ethiopia. Among mental health problems that occurred during pregnancy, depression is the most prevalent psychiatric disorder affecting pregnant women [3, 6]. There is increasing evidence that the rate of depression during pregnancy is two to three times higher in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) as compared to High-Income Countries (HICs) [8]. In Ethiopia’s context, the prevalence of antenatal depression varies across different parts of the region; it ranges between 11.8% [9] and 31.2% [10]
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