Prevalence of Postpartum Depression and Associated Factors among Postpartum Mothers at the Tamale Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Postpartum depression is a mental disorder that may affect both genders. Postpartum depression may include poor mood, impatience, fatigue, sleeplessness, hunger changes, worry, inability to cope, guilt, suicidal thoughts, and worthlessness. However, Ghana lacks epidemiological evidence on postpartum depression and its related causes. This study aimed at assessing the prevalence and associated risk factors of Postpartum depression (PPD) among new mothers at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH). In April and May 2022, 135 postpartum mothers visiting the prenatal clinic at Tamale Teaching Hospital participated in a facility- based, analytical cross-sectional survey. Postpartum and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit registers were randomly sampled. Data gathering employed a structured questionnaire and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. To look at postpartum predictors, descriptive, bivariate (using chi-square), and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used. According to the research, out of the 135 mothers, the majority of them were married (96%) with more than 10 household members, literate (78%) because most were urban residents (53%), Muslims (87%), traders (37%), and aged between 21 and 30. The study also revealed that almost one in ten (10.37 percent) of the respondents had Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale depressed symptoms scores classed as high. Finally, of all the socio-demographic, maternal, clinical, lifestyle, and psychological factors considered, only two variables were significantly linked with postpartum depression symptoms, which were pressure from immediate family or friends (AOR=13.18; CI=2.069-84.009; p=004) and daily hours of sleep during the postpartum period (AOR=0.745; CI=0.020-6.615; p=0.048). This study concludes that the incidence of depression symptoms among mothers at TTH is quite high. Despite the observed improvement, pressure from close ones and daily hours of sleep during the postpartum period were identified as risk factors for PPD. To treat postpartum depression among postpartum mothers, immediate interventions such as counseling and psychological assistance at home and in health facilities are required.