BACKGROUND:

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant clinical and public health problem in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Despite the magnitude of PPD, early detection, treatment, and prevention of PPD remain a challenge in Ethiopia. This study aims to assess the magnitude and associated factors of PPD among women visiting the postnatal clinic at Tirunesh Beijing Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

METHOD:

A hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among 396 women attending the postnatal clinic at the hospital. Depressive symptoms were assessed using a locally pre-validated Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Descriptive analysis was employed for socio-demographic characteristics and to determine the magnitude of PPD. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with PPD. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed, and a p-value cut-off <0.05 was used to consider the significance of associations.

RESULT:

In this study, 24% of women experienced postpartum depression. Mothers aged 25–30 years were less likely to develop PPD (AOR=0.07, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.24). Women who were illiterate (AOR=4.8, 95% CI: 1.92, 14.52), those who experienced intimate partner violence (AOR=7.1, 95% CI: 2.76, 16.12), had unwanted or unplanned pregnancies (AOR=6.1, 95% CI: 2.01, 13.25), had low-birth-weight babies (AOR=3.2, 95% CI: 1.29, 12.84), and those with poor family support (AOR=3.4, 95% CI: 1.40, 10.92) were significantly associated with postpartum depression.

CONCLUSION:

The magnitude of postpartum depression was higher among mothers visiting the postnatal clinic. This highlights the need for targeted interventions addressing the needs of postpartum women who experience various risk factors. Further well-designed and representative studies are recommended to inform policy and devise targeted strategies to address PPD.