Antenatal Depression in a Rural District in Uganda: Findings From a Facility-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

Oliva Nalwadda , Restless Development
Juliet Nakku, Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital
Robert Wamala, Makerere University

Understanding the burden for perinatal mental disorders in Africa is an urgent matter. However, the prevalence of perinatal mental disorders remains unknown in rural communities. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of antenatal depression and the risk factors among pregnant women in a rural district of Uganda. All pregnant women in 2nd and 3rd trimester attending antenatal care in five health facilities were interviewed in a facility-based cross-sectional study. A structured-questionnaire was administered, which included the 9-item patient health questionnaire(PHQ-9) to screen for depression, demographic-characteristics, domestic violence and maternal health. Among the 505 women enrolled, slightly over one-in-every ten(13%) had a depressive disorder. PHQ-9 scores were higher among women of advanced age and victims of domestic violence(P<0.05). HIV negative was a protective factor for antenatal depression(OR=0.42). Integration of mental health screening tools in maternal health services is essential to increase awareness and treatment uptake for mental disorders in maternity.

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 Presented in Session 11. Health & Mortality 2