Characteristics of the women screened for postnatal depression* at 3 months postpartum (n=238)
| Variable | N | Test positive (EDPS≥12) | Test negative (EPDS≤12) | p Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPDS (mean=4.4, SD=4.6) | 238 | 22 (mean=15.4, SD=3.0) | 216 (mean=3.3 SD=2.9) | <0.001 |
| Age group (mean=28, SD=5.5) | ||||
| Less than 19 | 8 | 2 (9.1%) | 6 (2.8%) | 0.00 |
| 20–29 | 136 | 18 (81.8%) | 118 (54.6%) | |
| More than 30 | 94 | 2 (9.1%) | 92 (42.6%) | |
| Educational level | ||||
| University and above | 93 | 9 (40.9%) | 84 (38.9%) | 0.81 |
| Secondary | 66 | 5 (22.7%) | 61 (28.2%) | |
| Primary | 74 | 8 (36.4%) | 66 (30.6%) | |
| No education | 5 | 0 (0%) | 5 (2.3%) | |
| Occupational status | ||||
| Never employed | 167 | 12 (54.5%) | 155 (71.8%) | 0.05 |
| Currently employed | 34 | 2 (9.1%) | 32 (14.8%) | |
| Previously employed | 25 | 4 (18.2%) | 21 (9.7%) | |
| Current student | 12 | 4 (18.2%) | 8 (3.7%) | |
| Parity | ||||
| Primigravida | 59 | 10 (45.5%) | 49 (22.7%) | 0.03 |
| Multigravida (1–4) | 158 | 12 (54.5%) | 146 (67.6%) | |
| Grand multipra (>4) | 21 | 0 (0.0%) | 21 (9.7%) | |
| Polygamy | ||||
| Yes | 19 | 4 (18.2%) | 15 (6.9%) | 0.10 |
| No | 219 | 18 (81.8%) | 201 (93.1%) | |
| Complications during or after pregnancy | ||||
| Yes | 87 | 11 (50.0%) | 76 (35.2%) | 0.17 |
| No | 151 | 11 (50.0%) | 140 (64.8%) | |
| Presence of chronic illness | ||||
| Yes | 42 | 4 (18.2%) | 38 (17.6%) | 0.94 |
| No | 196 | 18 (81.8%) | 178 (82.2%) | |
| Place of delivery | ||||
| Health facility | 220 | 22 (100%) | 198 (91.7%) | 0.06 |
| Home | 18 | 0 (0.0%) | 18 (8.3%) | |
| Sex of newborn† | ||||
| Male(s) | 136 | 15 (68.2%) | 121 (57.1%) | 0.31 |
| Female(s) | 98 | 7 (31.8%) | 91 (42.9%) | |
| Type of delivery | ||||
| Vaginal delivery | 148 | 13 (59.1%) | 135 (62.5%) | 0.95 |
| EmC/S | 29 | 3 (13.6%) | 26 (12.0%) | |
| Elective C/S | 61 | 6 (27.3%) | 55 (25.5%) | |
p Value from χ2 analysis for categorical variables or t test for continuous variables.
*Screening was by the EPDS at a cut-off score ≥12.
†n=234 (four women had abortions or miscarriages).
EmC/S, emergency caesarean section; EPDS, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.