Individual factors associated with post-partum depression among post-natal women in selected clinics in Kiambu County, Kenya

Abstract

Background: Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a global concern with an estimate of between 10 - 20% prevalence. This is a health  condition that many women develop after birth which is characterized by feelings of tiredness, sadness, worry, severe mood swings,  feelings of suicide among others. The aim was to determine prevalence of PPD among women attending selected post-natal clinics as  well as individual factors associated with PPD among these women.

Methods: The study used a mixed method cross-sectional design  with simple random sampling technique. Data was collected using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and questionnaires. Descriptive  statistics was used to describe the basic characteristics of a data while, the chi square test, logistic regression were used to examine the  interactions between the variables, at the significant level of p-value of 0.05 and thematic analysis to analyze qualitative data.

Results:  Out of the 404 questionnaires that were issued, 321 were duly filled. There was a significant relationship (p<0.05) between PPD and the  following psychosocial factors: whether the mother was suffering from any chronic disease, type of chronic disease, support after  delivery, spousal support, feeling after birth and social group support with a p-value of p<0.05.

Conclusion: Women's mode of delivery,  antenatal clinic attendance, complications during childbirth, expected gender of the baby and pregnancy type are all obstetric factors  significantly (p<0.05) associated with post-partum depression.