Prevalence and Determinants of Antenatal Depression Risk Among Urban Women Seeking Antenatal Clinical Care at a District Hospital in Ghana

Abstract

Aim: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with antenatal depression risk among pregnant women attending antenatal care at a district hospital in Kumasi, Ghana.

Study design: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study.

Methods: A questionnaire was used to collect data from 207 pregnant women attending antenatal care at Manhyia District Hospital from September 2020 to November 2020. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to screen for depression risk. Factors associated with antenatal depression risk were evaluated using logistic regression analysis.

Results: The prevalence of antenatal depression risk was 13.5% (n = 28). The most commonly reported intimate partner violence that contributed to depression risk was physical abuse (16.9%, n = 35). Factors such as physical abuse (AOR = 3.36, 95% CI: 1.13-10.02), domestic abuse (AOR = 3.88, 95% CI: 1.01-15.00) and self-harm ideation (AOR = 8.50, 95% CI: 2.44-29.63) were associated with increased odds of antenatal depression risk among the study participants.

Conclusion: This study revealed a low prevalence of antenatal depression risk. Extra attention should be given to factors such as intimate partner violence (domestic and physical abuse) and self-harm ideation. Also, screening all pregnant women, especially those with risk factors, for the risk of antenatal depression and early diagnosis and treatment of the risk of depression are important for the health of the mother, fetus and newborn.

Keywords: Ghana; antenatal care; antenatal depression risk; determinants.