Postpartum Depression among Postnatal Mothers: Knowledge, Attitudes and Prevalence at Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, Northeast Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) affects 10% to 20% of mothers globally and poses a significant public health concern. In Nigeria, the prevalence varies regionally, with limited data from Northeast Nigeria where socioeconomic challenges and cultural beliefs further complicate diagnosis and management. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of PPD among postnatal mothers at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Gombe, assess their knowledge and attitudes toward the condition, and identify sociodemographic and obstetric factors associated with PPD. Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed among postnatal mothers who delivered at the Hospital within 1 week of delivery irrespective of the mood of delivery. A sample of 320 mothers was selected using multistage sampling, based on Cochran’s formula with a 95% confidence interval and 5% precision. Data were gathered via a structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic/obstetric details, PPD knowledge and attitudes, and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) for symptom screening. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests, and logistic regression with a significance level of p < .05. Results: There were 320 respondents in the study, 75 (23.5%) shows symptoms of depression according to Edinburg depression score. It was much higher up to 75% among women who had still births.  There are more depressive symptoms among those who have Caesarean deliveries both not statistically significant. Approximately 68% of respondents had heard of PPD, with 85% acknowledging it as a health issue. Despite this, misconceptions persisted, and self-reported depressive symptoms were high—89% reported a depressed mood. Stigmatizing attitudes were evident, although a majority (89%) recommended seeking medical help. Conclusions: Significant gaps in PPD awareness and the influence of cultural misconceptions exist among postnatal mothers in Northeast Nigeria. These findings underscore the need for context-specific interventions that integrate traditional beliefs with biomedical approaches to enhance mental health literacy and reduce stigma.