Knowledge, Attitude and Prevalence of Postpartum Depression among Postnatal Mothers in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Postpartum depression is one of the serious psychiatric morbidities of women of childbearing age and constitutes a significant public health problem globally. This study was carried out among postnatal mothers attending immunization clinics in three Primary Health Centers in Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was used to assess the knowledge, attitude and prevalence of postpartum depression. Data were collected using structured, interviewer[1]administered questionnaires. Two standard tools; Patient Health Questionnaire-2 and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 were used to assess the prevalence and severity of postpartum depression respectively. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 20.

Results: A total of 300 postnatal mothers were recruited in the study. Only 6.0% had good knowledge of postpartum depression and only 11.0% of the respondents had a good attitude towards postpartum depression. The prevalence of postpartum depression in this study was 52.3%. Marital status was a significant predictor of postpartum depression (AOR 4.92 CI 1.55 – 15.64)

Conclusion: Poor knowledge of postpartum depression is common and maternal depression does exist in our environment. Education of the general public and pregnant women by government organizations and health workers, support programmes and mental health policy implementation will help reduce the burden of postpartum depression.