Screening for postpartum depression by health-care workers in Kaduna, North-Western Nigeria: A cross sectional study

Abstract

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) can be associated with adverse maternal/neonatal outcomes and screening leads to increased recognition and earlier initiation of management before more complications set in. Objectives: The objective of the study was to determine practices and attitudes towards screening for PPD among health care workers in Kaduna. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Participants were health-care workers providing care for pregnant women. A pretested semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Information collected included biodemographic data, professional and hospital characteristics, knowledge, views, and practices related to PPD screening. Data were summarized using cross table and frequency tables. Chi-square or Likelihood Ratio test was used as appropriate. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There were 202 respondents. The mean age of participants was 34.49 ± 9.95 years. Majority of the participants had experience of 1–5 years (53, 26.2%), worked in secondary (80, 39.6%), and public (168, 83.2%) facilities. Most participants “Sometimes” or “Never” screened women for PPD (184, 91.1%), while 18 participants (8.9%) “Always” or “Often” screened for PPD. Facility level and cadre were significantly associated with routine screening for PPD (P < 0.05). Only about 10% were aware of the use of validated questionnaires as screening tools. Overall, one hundred and seventy-six participants (87.1%) had a good attitude toward screening for PPD. Religion and ethnic group were significantly associated with attitudes toward PPD screening. Conclusion: Most respondents do not routinely screen women for PPD and are not very familiar with screening tools but had good attitudes toward PPD screening.