Abstract:

Background: Psychosocial health problems, specifically depression during pregnancy, can have negative impact on birth outcomes (e.g., preterm birth, low birth weight), postnatal mental health of the mother and infant development. The prevalence of depression is higher in pregnant women in low-and middle-income countries than pregnant women in high-income countries. Risk factors for depression reported in the literature relate to pregnant women in high-income countries. This study aimed at assessing depression in pregnancy and related psychosocial factors among pregnant women residing in Mwanza City-Tanzania.

Methods: This cross sectional study recruited 400 pregnant women from antenatal clinics of Mwanza city-Tanzania from June – July 2013. Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scales was used to screen pregnant women for depression which cut off score of 13 points and above indicating depression. A structured questionnaire was used to assess risk factors related to antenatal depression. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed using all independent variables to determine the significant factors related to antenatal depression.

Results: The study found that 32.7% (n=131) participants had antenatal depression. Factors associated with antenatal depression in multivariate logistic regression were; single marital status (p=0.010), history of previous abnormal delivery (p=0.046), high pregnancy related anxiety (p=<0.001) and low socio-economic status (p=0.029).

Conclusion: The findings of this study show high prevalence of depression among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Mwanza City-Tanzania. There is merit in integrating depression assessment in the existing ANC services, and special attention should be paid to risk factors i.e,; single marital status, high pregnancy related anxiety and, history of previous abnormal delivery, and low social economic status.