Magnitude and Factors Associated with Depressive Symptoms among Post-Partum Mothers Visiting Rural health center in Ethiopia, A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract Background Due to their propensity for pregnancy, childrearing, and caring for others, women are twice more likely than males to develop depression during their lifetime. Social stresses like poverty, intimate partner abuse, a history of miscarriage, and unwanted pregnancy are risk factors for postpartum depression, and these factors have a negative impact on maternal health. The mother and her children may suffer long-term negative effects if postpartum depression is left untreated. This research aims to address the gap in studies in Oromia region and contribute to building strong and a more representative evidence for postpartum depression in Ethiopia. Methods The study is a health facility-based cross-sectional study, among postnatal mothers visiting Batu health center. Descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study design was used among postnatal women who have given birth within the past 12 months. The Edinburgh postpartum depression scale was used to assess postpartum depression. Social support was assessed using the maternal social support scale. Chi-square test analysis was used to determine the association of post-partum depressive symptoms with socio-demographic, obstetric and psychosocial factors. Results Based on the cut-off points of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (≥11), 24.6 percent of the total respondents had post-partum depression whereas 75.4 percent did not have depressive symptoms. Among the mothers who had postpartum depression, majority (85.4%) had not even heard about the disease before. Among those mothers who had postpartum depression, 25% had low social support. Significant association was found between abortion history, unplanned pregnancy, history of mental illness, family history of mental illness, social support and PPD. Conclusions Despite the high magnitude of postpartum depression, measures to help depressed mothers are not brought to action. This highlights the need to advocate for postpartum depression services. Although the mothers with postpartum depression have made it to the health center, our study showed that they go back unnoticed. Postpartum depression screening is a simple but profound step that can be implemented. Moreover, antenatal care visits can be used as an opportunity to give health education on postpartum depression.