Knowledge of Puerperal Psychosis among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun State

Abstract

Objectives: Puerperal psychosis is the most severe and uncommon form of postnatal mental illness, with rates of 1-2 episodes per 1000 deliveries. The clinical onset is rapid, with the symptoms presenting as early as the first 2 to 3 days postpartum and the majority of episodes developing within the first 2 weeks after delivery. Therefore, this study seeks to assess the knowledge of causes/risk factors, signs & symptoms, effects, and treatments/prevention of puerperal psychosis among pregnant women.

Design: This descriptive study utilises a crosssectional design for data collection. The study was carried out at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinics to assess their knowledge about puerperal psychosis. A sample of two hundred and fifty-five pregnant women was included in this study using the purposive sampling technique. Data collection was done through a self-administered structured questionnaire and the data collected were analysed using a statistical package for the social sciences version.

Results: The result of this study showed that about one-fifth of the respondents had good knowledge of the causes/risk factors of puerperal psychosis, one-fourth had good knowledge of signs, symptoms, and effects of puerperal psychosis while the majority of the respondents had good knowledge on treatment/prevention of puerperal psychosis. Generally, this study concludes that about onefourth of the respondents attending the antenatal clinic in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, had good knowledge about puerperal psychosis.

Conclusion: This study concludes that although the majority of the respondents possess good knowledge of treatment and prevention of puerperal psychosis, only a few had good knowledge of the causes/risk factors as well as knowledge of signs, symptoms, and effects of puerperal psychosis.