Prevalence and factors associated with postnatal depression among women in two rural districts of Manicaland, Zimbabwe

Background: Low- and middle-income countries are disproportionately affected by postnatal depression (PND). High prevalence of PND in urban Zimbabwe has been reported but the situation in rural settings is largely unknown and this is one of the first studies to report prevalence of PND in Chipinge and Mutasa districts. Objectives: This study explored the prevalence and associated factors of PND among women attending postnatal care services in two rural districts of Chipinge and Mutasa, Manicaland, Zimbabwe between August and September 2017. Methods: One hundred and ninety-two women were recruited consecutively as they attended postnatal services at 7 days and 42 days post delivery. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, fifth edition criteria was used to classify depression among participants. Prevalence of PND and 95.0% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated and associations with key socio-demographic and risk factors assessed. Results: The mean age of participants was 23.7 years (standard deviation=6.14). Pooled prevalence of PND across the two districts was 26.0% (95% CI: 19.04­31.74). There was ahigher prevalence of PND in Mutasa (31.0%) as compared to Chipinge (21.48%) but this was not statistically significant (p=0.142). Having insufficient food in the household, intimate partner violence and having a child with birthweight under 2500 g significantly increased the likelihood of PND twofold: adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.8 (95% CI: 1.2­6.1),aOR=2.5 (95% CI: 1.2­5.3) and aOR=2.4 (95% CI: 1.1­5.6), respectively. Conclusion: The high prevalence of PND and its associated risk factors indicates the need for routine screening and targeted interventions for PND in Zimbabwe, especially in rural areas

Anxiety and Depression amongst the urban females of Delhi in Ante-partum and Post-partum period.

Objectives: To assess and compare the prevalence of anxiety and depression during and after pregnancy. Methodology: This cross sectional study was done in an inpatient setting in Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics in a tertiary level multi-specialty hospital in Delhi, India over a period of nine months.Two groups of women were studied. Group 1 sample included all pregnant women in last trimester awaiting delivery and Group 2 included the women in postpartum period (4-12 weeks after childbirth). Hospital Anxiety & Depression scale (HADS) was used to assess anxiety & depressive symptoms. Results: Of the 100 women included, 59% were awaiting delivery and 41% were in postpartum. The mean age was 23.87 years (SD 3.19), and both the groups were comparable on socio-demographic parameters. Of currently pregnant women 27% & 17% scored above cut-off on anxiety and depression scale respectively while amongst postpartum females 17% scored above cut-off on anxiety and depression scales. Both groups differed significantly (p<0.05) on the total HADS score and Anxiety subscale scores of HADS. There was no significant difference amongst the groups on Depression subscale scores. Conclusions: Prevalence of anxiety and depression is high amongst women during antepartum and postpartum periods. Pregnant women experience more anxiety during ante partum period as compared to post partum period and most of them are not being monitored during this time.