Prevalence and Correlates of Postpartum Depression Among Nursing Mothers Within the Kumasi Metropolis

Abstract

Background: Postpartum depression is a mood disorder produced by changes in brain chemistry among women beginning 4-6 weeks postpartum and lasting up to a year. This maternal mental health problem affects 11-42% of postpartum women globally with a reported prevalence of 60.8%, causing severe health implications to both the mother and the baby. In Ghana, maternal mental health during the postpartum period receives little attention. This study estimated the prevalence of postpartum depression and the associated socio-demographic and social support variables.

Methods: A cross-sectional design and a quantitative approach was used in this study. A purposive sampling technique was used in recruiting the respondents involved in the study through the help of the management of the health facilities. Data collection tools were the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and a structured questionnaire. The data were analysed using Binary Logistic Regression tests in STATA (Version 17.0).

Results: A total of 274 mothers participated in the study. Prevalence of Postpartum Depression was estimated at 31.39%, the circumstance surrounding pregnancy (wanted/unwanted, planned/ unplanned, denied by father/abandonment) was the only socio-demographic correlate to Postpartum Depression [p=0.015, OR=0.805, 95% CI 0.675 – 0.959]. Social support variables showing significant association with Postpartum Depression were partner support [p=0.005, OR=1.357 95% CI 1.096 – 1.682], experience of a larger support (from friends and community) [P=0.002, OR=0.713 95% CI 0.575 – 0.884], and ability to maintain a fair life balance in the postpartum period [P=0.011, OR=0.752 95% CI 0.603 – 0.936].

Conclusions: Postpartum depression remains high in prevalence. In-service training of primary health care workers is required to screen and detect early symptoms of PPD. Psychosocial support and education on addressing maternal psychological and emotional needs should be provided to nursing mothers and their partners during the antenatal period. Public health interventions should focus on educating community members on maternal mental health to provide a larger quality social support to mothers during postpartum period towards reducing PPD prevalence and its attended consequences.