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The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of depressive disorder in late pregnancy in a group of Nigerian women and to examine the associated factors. One hundred and eighty women in late pregnancy completed a questionnaire on sociodemographic and obstetrical details. They also completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). A proportion of them were then assessed for the DSM-IV diagnosis of depressive disorder. Fifteen (8.3%) women met the current (2 weeks) DSM-IV diagnosis of depressive disorder. The factors independently associated with depression included being single [odds ratio (OR) 5 16.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5 3.17-87.76], divorced /separated (OR 5 11.11, 95% CI 5 1.55-19.65), polygamous (OR 5 3.92, 95% CI 5 0.94-16.33), and having a previous history of stillbirth (OR 5 8.00, 95% CI 5 1.70-37.57) and perceived lack of social support (OR 5 6.08, 95% CI 5 1.42-26.04). Depression is common in late pregnancy among Nigerian women, with the significant correlates including mainly social and family factors. Such factors should be considered when planning health care services or formulating a predictive model. Interventions aimed at reducing the occurrence of antenatal depression need further research. Depression and Anxiety 24: 15-21, 2007.

Depression is common among Nigerian university students and significantly associated with sociodemographic factors. An effective model for the prediction of the development of depression in university students need to be developed and evaluated and interventions aimed at reducing the incidence of depression among this population need further research.

This study aimed to investigate the rate and type of anxiety disorders among Nigerian women in late pregnancy. Women in late pregnancy (n = 172) and a non-pregnant control group were assessed for DSM-IV anxiety disorders. The rate of any anxiety disorder in the pregnant women was 39.0% compared with 16.3% in the non-pregnant population (p < 0.001). Although all the anxiety disorders were more common, only the rate of social anxiety disorder was significantly higher among the pregnant than non-pregnant population. Correlates of anxiety disorder in the pregnant population include age less than 25 years (OR 4.62, 95% CI 2.39-8.92), primiparity (OR 3.90, 95% CI 2.00-7.59) and presence of medical conditions (OR 3.60, 95% CI 1.28-10.12). More research is needed in this field to ascertain the specific association between pregnancy and anxiety disorders.

The prevalence of MDD in Nigerian adolescents is comparable to those found in western culture and the BDI is a valid instrument for screening for MDD among Nigerian adolescents. Health policies in developing countries must integrate adolescents' depression as a disorder of public health significance.

Research into intimate partner violence in the Nigerian environment has been limited. The objective of this study was to determine, amongst a sample of women attending the Enuwa Primary Health Care Center, Ile-Ife, the association between intimate partner violence and anxiety/depression. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 373 women who attended the antenatal clinic and welfare units of a primary health centre in Ile-Ife using the Composite Abuse Scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and a socio-demographic scale as instruments. Slightly over a third (36.7 %) reported intimate partner violence within the past year, 5.6 % had anxiety and 15.5 % were depressed. Anxiety and depression in the respondents were significantly associated with intimate partner violence. Women were ten times more likely to report being depressed and 17 times more likely to report anxiety if they were in violent relationships. This research has shown that the magnitude of intimate partner violence within the study population is comparable to those found in the developing countries. There are significant associations between intimate partner violence, anxiety and depression amongst the study population and this fact undoubtedly has implications for the mental health of the Nigerian woman.

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