Post Partum Depression
Conditions
Brief summary
This study looks at depression among mothers after childbirth (also called postpartum depression) in Mekelle City, Tigray, Ethiopia. Postpartum depression is a common mental health condition that can affect women after they give birth. It may cause sadness, loss of interest, fatigue, and difficulty caring for the baby. If not recognized and treated, it can affect both the mother and her child's health and well-being. The purpose of this study is to find out how common postpartum depression is among mothers visiting public health facilities for postnatal care and child immunization services and to identify factors that may increase the risk. Understanding these factors can help health professionals and policymakers improve support services for mothers. Mothers who come to selected health facilities for routine postnatal or immunization services will be invited to participate. Participation is voluntary. Those who agree will be asked to complete a questionnaire that includes questions about their mood, social support, economic conditions, and health status. The questionnaire does not include any personal identifiers, so participants' privacy will be protected. There are no direct medical risks involved in participating in this study. However, some questions may make participants feel emotional when reflecting on their experiences. Participants are free to skip any question or stop at any time. If a mother is found to have symptoms of depression, she will be advised to seek care and may be referred to appropriate health services. This study may not provide direct benefits to participants, but the findings will help improve understanding of maternal mental health in a post-conflict setting. The results can support the development of better screening, early detection, and support programs for postpartum depression in the community. Overall, this research aims to contribute to improving the health and well-being of mothers and their children by providing evidence that can guide future healthcare services and policies.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
Mekelle University
Study design
Observational model
OTHER
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Postnatal women attending postnatal care or vaccination (EPI) services within six weeks of delivery at the selected public health institutions during the study period
Exclusion criteria
* Women who had a serious illness that prevented participation. * Mothers who were unable to attend the selected facilities * Mothers who could not communicate effectively, * Mothers who had a documented history of severe mental disorders prior to pregnancy (e.g., bipolar disorder or schizophrenia), * Mothers who were actively using substances during the data collection period * Mothers who had refused to provide informed consent.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Postpartum Depression | At the time of interview during the postpartum period (within 6 weeks after delivery) | Presence of postpartum depression among mothers attending postnatal and immunization services, assessed using a standardized screening tool, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS): scores ≥13 were considered to have postpartum depression |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Socio-demographic factors | At the time of interview during the postpartum period (within 6 weeks after delivery) | Age, marital status, education level, occupation, income, residence, religion |
| Obstetric and reproductive factors | At the time of interview during the postpartum period (within 6 weeks after delivery) | Parity, pregnancy intention, mode of delivery, history of complications, number of ANC visits, place of delivery |
| Psychosocial factors | At the time of interview during the postpartum period (within 6 weeks after delivery) | Social support, stressful life events, partner support, substance misuse. marriage satisfaction, relation with in-laws |
Countries
Ethiopia
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORAkebom Kidane Gebremichael, Doctor
Mekelle University College of Health Sciences
Outcome results
None listed