Abstract:

Background: Postpartum depression in the major public health problems whereby is a mood disorder that starts soon after child birth and lasts up to one year. Depression during postpartum period can have negative impact on mental health of the mother and infant growth and development. The prevalence of postpartum depression is higher in low-add middle –income countries than high-income countries. This recent study assessed depression and its associated psychological factors among women with infants attending Reproductive and Child Health (RHC) Clinics in Nyamagana municipal, Mwanza city, Tanzania.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of postpartum depression and associated psychological factors among women with infants in Mwanza city, Tanzania.

Methods: A cross sectional study recruited 250 postpartum women with infants from three RCH clinic of Nyamagana municipal in Mwanza city – Tanzania from June – July 2014. Edinburgh Postnatal Depression scale was used to screen postpartum women with infants for depression with cut off score of 13 points and above representing depression. A structured questionnaire was used to evaluate factors associated with postpartum depression.

Results: The study found that 20.8% (n=52) of participants had postpartum depression. Factors related with postpartum depression in multivariate logistic regression were: Health facility (p=0.004), living with partner/husband (p=0.023), involved in decision making (p=0.060), and lack of support during breastfeeding (p=0.001).

Conclusion: The results of this study show high prevalence of depression among women with infants attending RCH Clinics in Nyamagana municipal, Mwanza city, Tanzania.