Prevalence and risk factors of postpartum depression among postnatal mothers with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in a developing country.

Background: Postpartum depression is a public health issue affecting both maternal well-being and child development. While it is the most common mental health disorder following childbirth, data on its prevalence and associated risk factors in developing countries, including Ghana, remains limited.

Objectives: This study determined the prevalence of postpartum depression and identified its associated risk factors among pregnant women who developed hypertensive disorders of pregnancy at the Adabraka Polyclinic in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.

Design: This study was a hospital-based cross-sectional study.

Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 159 postnatal mothers who delivered between March 31, 2023 and May 31, 2023 at the Adabraka Polyclinic in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Participants were selected using purposive sampling. The data collection instrument were developed to gather information on sociodemographic, psychosocial, obstetric, and newborn characteristics. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to investigate depressive symptoms in the mothers. Mothers with Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale scores above 12 or 13 were considered likely to be experiencing depression.

Results: Out of the 159 women followed to term, 74 were diagnosed with postpartum depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale scores above 12 or 13), indicating a prevalence rate of 46.5%. The majority of these women were aged between 25 and 30 years (46.5%), engaged in informal occupations (52.2%), had multiple children (71.1%), pregnancies (69.2%), and normal blood pressure levels (62.3%). After adjusting for potential confounders in a multivariate logistic model, several factors were found to be independently associated with postpartum depression: informal occupation (adjusted odd ratio = 0.12, 95% confidence interval (0.02-0.62), p = 0.012), Ga ethnicity (adjusted odd ratio = 5.27, 95% confidence interval (1.25-22.11), p = 0.023), sub-optimal financial support from partner (adjusted odd ratio = 27.54, 95% confidence interval (4.63-164.00), p < 0.001), and experience of cesarean section (adjusted odd ratio = 22.10, 95% confidence interval (3.90-125.08), p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Pregnant women with hypertensive disorders may face a heightened risk of experiencing postpartum depression. Timely recognition and intervention are vital for enhancing the health and welfare of both mothers and their children.