Prevalence and factors associated with depression among pregnant mothers in the West Shoa zone, Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Depression during pregnancy, the most prevalent mental health problem, can alter fetal development and has important consequences on the offspring's physical and mental health. Evidence suggests increasing rates of prevalence of depression in low-income settings such as Ethiopia. However, there are a few studies on the topic with inconsistent results. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of antenatal depression and its correlates among pregnant women in Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the West Shoa zone, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia, from February 20, 2018, to March 20, 2018. Pregnant women were recruited by using cluster sampling techniques. Data on socio-demographic, obstetric, and psychosocial characteristics were collected by intervieweradministered questionnaire. Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to assess depression during pregnancy. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were fitted to identify correlates of depression. The level of statistical significance was declared at p value < 0.05. Results: The mean age (± SD) of the pregnant women was 28.41 ± 5.9 years. The prevalence of depression during pregnancy was 32.3%. When we adjusted for possible confounding variables in the final model; those pregnant mothers with an average monthly income of less than 500 (18 USD) Ethiopian birr [AOR = 3.19, 95% CI (1.47, 6.96)], unplanned pregnancy [AOR = 1.52, 95% CI (1.04, 2.21)] and having history of abortion [AOR = 5.13, 95% CI (2.42, 10.85)] have higher odds of depression when compared to their counterparts. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression during pregnancy was high. Strengthening the counseling service as well as increasing access and availability of modern contraceptive methods may reduce the rates of unplanned pregnancy in Ethiopia and this, in turn, plays a significant role in alleviating a resultant depression. Further, the integration of mental health services with existing maternal health care as well as strengthening the referral system among public health centers was warranted to minimize antenatal depression in the West Shoa zone health facilities.

Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms Among Pregnant and Postpartum Women in China During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Kubota et al (29) found that around 6.5% of women reported depression during pregnancy, whereas 11.2% of them experienced depression at 1 month postpartum using the EPDS. Based on the PHQ-9, Bitew et al (31) reported that the prevalence of depression in antenatal women was 28.70%, whereas Tiki et al (32) found that 32.3% of the women experienced depression during pregnancy. However, caution should be taken in direct comparisons because of the use of different measurement instruments, sampling methods, and sociodemographic characteristics between studies.…”

Depression remains a neglected public health problem among pregnant women in Northwest Ethiopia

“…In Ethiopia, the prevalence estimates of antenatal depression ranges from 6.8 to 32.3% [17][18][19][20][21][22], by using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) with the cutoff point of ≥13.…”

Effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Prevalence of Insomnia, Anxiety, and Depression During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…The average duration between data collection and publication was 2,018.187 ± 1.709 in the studies included in the analysis. The studies were conducted in Israel (Adler et al, 2019), United States (Gildner et al, 2020; Kalmbach et al, 2019; Kinser et al, 2018; Perzow et al, 2021), Turkey (Akgor et al, 2021; Alan et al, 2020; Nacar & Taşhan, 2019; Sel et al, 2019), Ethiopia (Bante et al, 2021; Belay et al, 2018; Duko et al, 2019; Gebremichael et al, 2018; Habtamu Belete et al, 2019; Shitu Ayen et al, 2020; Tesfaye & Agenagnew, 2021; Tiki et al, 2020), Bangladesh (Begum & Biswas, 2020), Italy (Cena et al, 2020; Ravaldi & Vannacci, 2020), China (Dong et al, 2021; Lau et al, 2018; Lin et al, 2021; Mo et al, 2018; Yang et al, 2021; Yu et al, 2020; Zhang et al, 2021; Zhang, Yang, et al, 2020), Denmark (Ertmann et al, 2020), South Africa (Govender et al, 2020; Kaiyo-Utete et al, 2020), Iran (Hamzehgardeshi et al, 2021; Kazemi & Dadkhah, 2022; Saadati et al, 2021), Finland (Laitinen et al, 2021), Ghana (Lillie et al, 2020), Vietnam (Luong-Thanh et al, 2021), Croatia (Mikšić et al, 2018), Malez either (Nasreen et al, 2018), India (Sheeba et al, 2019; Venkatesh et al, 2019), Pakistan (Sabir et al, 2019; Shahid et al, 2020), Poland (Smyka et al, 2020; Stepowicz et al, 2020), Thailand (Tuksanawes et al, 2020), and the Netherlands (Zilver et al, 202...…”

“…Thirty studies that were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis reported findings about the prevalence of depression symptoms during pregnancy (Adler et al, 2019; Bante et al, 2021; Begum & Biswas, 2020; Belay et al, 2018; Dong et al, 2021; Duko et al, 2019; Gebremichael et al, 2018; Govender et al, 2020; Habtamu Belete et al, 2018; Hamzehgardeshi et al, 2021; Kaiyo-Utete et al, 2020; Kinser et al, 2018; Lau et al, 2018; Lillie et al, 2020; Lin et al, 2021; Mikšić et al, 2018; Mo et al, 2018; Nacar & Taşhan, 2019; Nasreen et al, 2018; Sabir et al, 2019; Shahid et al, 2020; Sheeba et al, 2019; Shitu Ayen et al, 2020; Tesfaye & Agenagnew, 2021; Tiki et al, 2020; Tuksanawes et al, 2020; Yang et al, 2021; Yu et al, 2020; Zhang, Wang, et al, 2020; Zhang, Yang, et al, 2020). The combined results of these studies indicated that the estimated depression symptoms rate was 22.6% (95% CI: 0.176–0.346; z : −4.722, p < .001, I 2 : 99.673).…”

“…Depression symptoms and measurement scores during pregnancy. Thirty studies that were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis reported findings about the prevalence of depression symptoms during pregnancy (Adler et al, 2019;Bante et al, 2021;Begum & Biswas, 2020;Belay et al, 2018;Dong et al, 2021;Duko et al, 2019;Gebremichael et al, 2018;Govender et al, 2020;Habtamu Belete et al, 2018;Hamzehgardeshi et al, 2021;Kaiyo-Utete et al, 2020;Kinser et al, 2018;Lau et al, 2018;Lillie et al, 2020; Lin Mikšić et al, 2018;Mo et al, 2018;Nacar & Taşhan, 2019;Nasreen et al, 2018;Sabir et al, 2019;Shahid et al, 2020;Sheeba et al, 2019;Shitu Ayen et al, 2020;Tesfaye & Agenagnew, 2021;Tiki et al, 2020;Tuksanawes et al, 2020;Yang et al, 2021;Yu et al, 2020;Zhang, Wang, et al, 2020;Zhang, Yang, et al, 2020). The combined results of these studies indicated that the estimated depression symptoms rate was 22.6% (95% CI: 0.176-0.346; z: −4.722, p < .001, I 2 : 99.673).…”