Postpartum Depression Among Igbo Women In An Urban Mission Hospital, South East Nigeria

Abstract

Context: Postpartum depression adversely affects mothers, their newborn infants, their partners and the society. Its timely diagnosis is highly desirable.
Objective: To assess the prevalence and associated sociodemographic variables of Postpartum depression among women of Igbo Ethnic origin attending an urban mission hospital in Enugu, South East Nigeria.
Method: One hundred and eighty six women of Igbo Ethnic group attending postnatal clinic at six weeks postpartum were consecutively recruited in a descriptive cross sectional study. Postpartum depression was
assessed, using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).
Results: The prevalence of postpartum depression among the respondents was 30.6% at an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression scale (EPDS) cut off score of 10 and 15% when a more stringent cut off score of 13 was
used. Socioeconomic status of the respondents and depression were significantly associated, with women of lower socioeconomic status being more likely to be depressed than women of higher socioeconomic status. No significant association was found between Age or Parity and postpartum depression.
Conclusion: The study demonstrated that significant number of Igbo ethnic women attending postnatal clinic in the Urban Mission Hospital in Enugu metropolis screened positive for postpartum depression. Obstetricians
should therefore be encouraged to routinely screen women for postpartum depression during their postnatal visits. This will ensure early identification and referral of affected mothers for appropriate intervention.

Keywords: Postpartum, Depression, Igbo, Prevalence, Nigeria.