Profile of depression in women attending antenatal clinics in Blantyre District, Malawi

Abstract

Introduction

Depression is one of major health problems affecting pregnant women in low resource settings. It can lead to poor uptake of antenatal services. Data about prevalence of antenatal depression and associated risk factors remain scanty in Malawi. The study settings were eight selected antenatal clinics in Blantyre district, Malawi. The aim of this study was to assess prevalence of antenatal depression and associated risk factors among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Blantyre district, Malawi.

Methods

This was a quantitative study which used a random sample of 97 pregnant women. Ethical approval was granted by relevant bodies. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse data.

Results

Prevalence of antenatal depression in Blantyre district was 25.8% (n = 25). Risk factors associated with antenatal depression included: “being distressed by anxiety or depression for more than two weeks during this pregnancy”; “feeling that pregnancy has been a positive experience”; “having a history of feeling miserable or depressed for two weeks or more before this pregnancy”; “relationship with partner is an emotionally supportive one”; “experiencing major stresses, changes or losses in the course of this pregnancy”; “having history of physical abuse when growing up”, and “having concerns about being or becoming a mother”.

Conclusion

This study has shown that antenatal depression is prevalent in Malawi. It suggests that psychosocial interventions targeting pregnant women may be necessary to reduce antenatal depression and associated risk factors. However, further research regarding ways for assisting pregnant women to build and strengthen their psychosocial support structures is needed.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.