The Need for Universal Screening for Postnatal Depression in South Africa
Confirmation from a Sub-District in Pretoria, South Africa
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15501092 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Kebogile Mokwena (Department of Public Health, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria 0204, South Africa), Kebogile Elizabeth Mokwena (0000-0002-0257-0520, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, corresponding author), Itumeleng Masike (0000-0003-3293-2374, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University) |
| Year | 2020 |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue | 19 |
| Pages | 6980-6980 |
| Publication date | 2020-09-24 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601 |
| Publisher | Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3390/ijerph17196980 |
| PMID | 32987674 |
| OpenAlex | W3089221055 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 36 |
Although postnatal depression (PND) is a worldwide public health problem, it is relatively higher in developing countries, including countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Postnatal depression is not routinely screened for in primary healthcare facilities in South Africa, despite its reported compromise on mother and child health. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of, as well as factors associated with, postnatal depression in a sample of clinic attendees in a sub district in Tshwane, South Africa. A quantitative and cross-sectional survey was conducted in a sample of 406 women in three healthcare facilities. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to collect data from women who had infants between the ages of 0 and 12 months. The cut-off point for the EPDS for the depressed category was a score of 13 out of a maximum of 30. The majority of the women (57.14%, n = 232) had scores of 13 and above, which is indicative of postnatal depressive symptoms. On logistic regression, postnatal depressive symptoms were significantly associated with lack of support in difficult times ( p p = 0.001, 95% CI 0.37-0.58), low household income ( p p = 0.005, 95% CI 1.21-1.49). The results show the high proportion of women who have postnatal depression but remain undiagnosed and untreated, and therefore confirm the need for routine screening for postnatal depressive symptoms in primary healthcare facilities, which are used by the majority of women in South Africa
Depression (economics · Economics · Environmental health · Geography · Psychiatry · Socioeconomics · Sociology · Adolescent and Pediatric Healthcare · Health disparities and outcomes · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum · Medicine
Tools for screening maternal mental health conditions in primary care settings in sub-Saharan Africa
Perspectives and Experiences of Young Mothers Utilizing Public Healthcare Services in a South African Township
Feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of a culturally adapted nonspecialist delivery Problem-Solving Therapy
Association of Persistent and Severe Postnatal Depression With Child Outcomes
Epidemiology of maternal depression, risk factors, and child outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries
Magnitude and risk factors for postpartum symptoms
Economic and Health Predictors of National Postpartum Depression Prevalence
Income inequality and depressive symptoms in South Africa
Prevalence of prenatal depression and associated factors among HIV-positive women in primary care in Mpumalanga province, South Africa
| Unique citing works | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2023 - 2025 (3) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 3 |