Awareness, Attitudes, and Help-seeking Intention towards Perinatal Depression among Women from Different Ethnic Groups in Western Rural China

Abstract

Background Despite the high prevalence of perinatal depression in China, the underutilization of mental health services remains. This study aimed at understanding the awareness, attitudes, and help-seeking intentions towards perinatal depression among women from different ethnic groups in western rural China. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a rural county of Yunnan Province in May 2022. Pregnant women and women within one year after childbirth were selected. Chi-square tests, Fisher's exact probability analyses and multiple logistic regression models were employed to investigate the determinants of women's help-seeking intentions concerning perinatal depression. Results A total of 1,217 women participated in the survey and 1,152 were included for analysis, including 464 Hanwomen (40.28%), 498 Zhuang women (43.23%), and 190 from other ethnic minorities (16.49%). There were 12.67% of women detected with perinatal depressive symptoms, while 13.89% reporting they had experienced negative emotions for more than two weeks. Among women who had negative emotions history, just 4.38% had utilized mental health services. Over a quarter (26.91%)of women had never heard of depression, and nearly half were unawareof the available treatments (49.57%) or the facilities where they could seek treatment for depression (55.21%). The most participants (84.55%) reported that they would seek help for depression if needed. For those women who displayed a willingness to seek help, 75.36% prefer to seek support from interpersonal sources and 72.07% favored consulting professionals. Factors influencing help-seeking intentions differed across different ethnic groups. Hanwomen with beliefs about the preventability and curability of depression (OR=2.679, 95%CI: 1.329-5.401) were more likely to seek help from professionals. Zhuangwomen with stronger family support were associated with a greater likelihood of seeking help (OR=2.660, 95%CI: 1.087-6.508). Other ethnic minority women with salaried employment reflected a lower potential to seek help (OR=0.044, 95%CI: 0.005-0.403). Conclusion Women from different ethnic groups in western rural China had a low level of awareness of perinatal depression and mental health services. It is of great necessity to implement educational campaigns and supportive interventions aimed at addressing the social and psychological vulnerabilities of women and attending to the unique needs of ethnic females.