TERESA ILEKUPE AGHOMO

BACKGROUND: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common mental health disorder that adversely affects mothers, infants, and family well-being through poor mother–child bonding, reduced infant care, and increased psychosocial stress. Despite its public health importance, PPD remains under-recognized in many low- and middle-income countries due to poor awareness, stigma, and limited access to mental health services. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, prevalence, factors, role of social support, and barriers to help-seeking related to PPD among postnatal mothers attending the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 510 postnatal mothers attending postnatal and immunization clinics at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City. Respondents were selected using a systematic sampling technique. Data were collected using pretested interviewer-administered structured questionnaires, which included the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) for screening postpartum depression. Data analysis was carried out using IBM SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics were summarized using frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviation. Associations were tested using Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests, while binary logistic regression was used to
determine independent predictors. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05 at 95% confidence interval. Results were presented in prose, tables, and bar charts. RESULTS: The mean age of the respondents was 30.9 ± 5.6 years. Majority of the respondents
366 (71.8%) were aged 20–34 years, while most were married 494 (96.8%). Knowledge assessment revealed that 151 (55.5%) had poor knowledge of PPD, while 212 (77.9%) demonstrated a positive attitude towards PPD. Mode of delivery was a significant predictor of attitude, with mothers who had a caesarean section showing lower odds of positive attitude (OR
= 0.33, p = 0.005). The prevalence of PPD was 36 (7.1%). Significant associations with PPD were observed for age (p = 0.009), parity (p = 0.026), and household income (p = 0.037), with younger mothers, mothers with lower parity, and those with lower household income being more likely to experience PPD. Respondents with positive attitudes towards PPD were also less likely
to screen positive for the condition (OR = 0.27, p = 0.007). Most respondents reported having someone to talk to about their feelings 482 (94.5%), while spouses or partners were the major source of support 489 (95.9%). Most respondents 472 (92.5%) reported that they would seek help if they experienced symptoms of PPD. Among those who would not seek help, the
commonest reason was cultural beliefs 5 (38.5%) and the commonest facilitator of seeking help was healthcare worker recommendation 483 (94.7%)