Prevalence and predictors of postpartum depression and generalized anxiety symptoms among women who delivered at a tertiary hospital in Mwanza Tanzania: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum depression and anxiety are major public health concerns that affect 3-39% of women after childbearing and can adversely affect maternal and child health. Most studies have investigated postpartum depression and anxiety and their associated factors among women 4-12 weeks after delivery. There is a scarcity of research among women immediately after delivery from low- and middle-income countries, the gap this study aimed to fill. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 386 postpartum women within one week after delivery. The Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale was used to assess depressive symptoms and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder - 7 scale was used to screen for symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. Participants were systematically selected from the postnatal wards and interviewed by trained research assistants from November 2019 to March 2020. RESULTS: Using standard cut points, the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms was 25.39%, and 37.31% respectively. Having a baby with a weight of 2.5 kgs or more and having partner support were associated with decreased odds of both depression and anxiety symptoms. In contrast, complications during delivery, caesarian section, marital status, and partner violence, were associated with increased odds of depressive and anxiety symptoms post-delivery. CONCLUSION: There was a high prevalence of postpartum depression and anxiety symptoms among the study participants in the first week post-delivery, with delivery complications and outcome and psychosocial supports identified as associated factors for depression and anxiety symptoms. These findings highlight the need for early screening to identify those at risk for appropriate intervention.

Depression and chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional study based at Bugando Medical Centre, Northwestern Tanzania.

Introduction: psychosocial distress such as depression is prevalent among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. It is often overlooked despite of reducing the patient´s quality of life. Methods: this was a cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with depression among CKD patients, whereby a practical sampling technique was used among patients attending Bugando Medical Centre, a tertiary level hospital in Mwanza, Tanzania. A total of 376 CKD patients were recruited and interviewed by using patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Results: the mean age of the participants was 52.78 years, ranging from 18 to 85 years, 67.02% were males; 33.24% were more than 60 years of age and 32.45% of the participants were attending hemodialysis at BMC Nephrology Unit. The prevalence of depression was 73.93%. Participants who were 53-96 months since diagnosis, were not affected by modification of lifestyle and who were not sexually active were less likely to develop depression. Conclusion: the results showed a high prevalence of depression among CKD patients. This emphasizes the need for measures such as earlier screening and management. Which would reduce the burden of morbidity and mortality and improve the quality of life of CKD patients.

The magnitude and determinants of antepartum depression among women attending antenatal clinic at a tertiary hospital, in Mwanza Tanzania: a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: there is an increased vulnerability for the development of common mental disorders during the peripartum period as evidenced in depressive disorder. METHODS: a cross sectional study was used to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with depression among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic (ANC) at Bugando Medical Centre (BMC), a tertiary level hospital in Mwanza Tanzania. A total of 380 pregnant women were recruited and interviewed by using Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale. The sample size was randomly selected from the clinic. RESULTS: the mean age of the participants was 30.35 years, with minimum and maximum age of 20 years and 47 years respectively with 89.74% of the participants being married. Almost half of the participants, 53.68% were on the third trimester, with about two-third of the participants, 76.84% reports to have planned for their current pregnancies. The overall prevalence of depression was 15% with middle age of the partner (31-40 years), been married, high level of education, partner and family support were found to be statistically protective for depression while polygamy and partner violence were statistically risk factor for depression. CONCLUSION: the results showed high prevalence of antepartum depression which emphasizes the importance of earlier screening, detection and intervention to reduce the burden of morbidity and disability.