Peer-reviewed article
Exploring perinatal depression and its influencing factors: a cross-sectional study among pregnant women and mothers of children under two years in Burera district, Rwanda.
Shimelash N, Qambayot MA, Mwitende F, Uwizeyimana T, Bazimya D et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined perinatal depression (depression during pregnancy and after childbirth) and its causes among 1,464 pregnant women and mothers of young children in rural Rwanda. Nearly one quarter of the women surveyed (24.5%) showed symptoms of perinatal depression. The research found that depression was more common in women who were single, had many children, experienced intimate partner violence, lacked social support, or struggled with severe food insecurity.
Key points
- 24.5% of pregnant women and mothers of children under 2 years showed perinatal depression symptoms
- Being single increased depression odds by 4.8 times compared to partnered women
- Experiencing any form of intimate partner violence (verbal, sexual, or physical abuse) significantly increased depression risk
- Severe household food insecurity increased depression odds by 3 times
- Multiple factors work together to influence perinatal depression risk, including social support, partner violence, and economic hardship
Limitations
This is a cross-sectional study, so it cannot establish whether these factors cause depression or are consequences of it. The study was conducted only in rural Rwanda, so findings may not apply to urban settings or other regions.
Abstract
Background Perinatal depression is a common mental health problem, affecting about 10-15% of women during pregnancy and after childbirth. The condition leads to detrimental health impacts on mothers and their children. Despite high prevalence and impact, diagnosis of depression among pregnant women and women with young children is not done routinely in most resource-limited settings. Thus, the scope of perinatal depression remains underestimated. This study assessed perinatal depression and associated factors in pregnant women and mothers of children under 2 years old in rural Rwanda. Methods This cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted in four sectors in Burera district in Northern Rwanda. It involved all pregnant women in their second and third trimesters and mothers with children below 2 years old. A questionnaire consisting of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Household Hunger Scale, Parental Sense of Competence - Efficacy Scale, modified Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey, and questions about intimate partner violence experience was used. Bivariate and multivariate regression models were used to identify the factors influencing depression status. Results This study surveyed 1464 participants. Perinatal depression symptoms were found in 24.5% of participants. Being single (OR 4.8; 95%CI 1.5-14.7), having more than 6 children (OR 2.1; 95%CI 1.0-4.4), experiencing verbal abuse (OR 1.47; 95%CI 1.0 -2.1), sexual abuse (OR 1.87; 95%CI 1.3-2.7) and physical abuse (OR1.5; 95%CI 1.1-2.4) from an intimate partner, and having severe household food insecurity (OR 3.0; 95%CI 1.9-4.9) were found to significantly influence the odds of having perinatal depression. Conclusions Perinatal depression is a highly prevalent and multifactorial issue in Burera district. Lack of social support, intimate partner violence, and food insecurity predispose mothers to perinatal depression. Addressing these elements is crucial for the effective prevention and management of perinatal depression.