Puerperal depression among women attending postnatal clinic in Port Harcourt Nigeria

Background: Puerperal depression is the most common of the mood disorders occurring within the first six weeks postpartum. It affects more than 15% of women across the globe and constitutes a considerable public health problem for the women and their families. It accounts for more than 20% of maternal deaths after child birth. Children of mothers with puerperal depression are likely to suffer severe behavioral problems. It is therefore imperative that factors that contribute to it be identified and considered in their management.
Objectives: To determine the prevalence, risk factors and possible predictors of puerperal depression.
Methods: women visiting the postnatal clinic six weeks after child birth, who met the study inclusion criteria and consented to the study were interviewed, and screened for depression using a socio-demographic risk factor questionnaire and the Edinburg postnatal depression scale (EPDS). Using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 23.0, data obtained was analyzed. P-values<0.05 were statistically significant.
Results: Four hundred and five (405) women consented to the study and 135, (33.3%) had depression. Among the risk factors isolated, cohabitation, poor emotional and social support, partner violence, mode of delivery, death of children and children’s health challenges were predictive risk factors for puerperal depression.
Conclusion: There is a need for urgent overhaul of social systems that favor women before and during pregnancy and after childbirth which will consider these predisposing predictive factors in their management.