Prevalence and Correlates of Perinatal Depression and Anxiety at Perinatal Clinics in Southwestern Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction Depression and anxiety during pregnancy and after childbirth are a considerable global public health burden, but data on their magnitude - which is critical for effective intervention - are limited in Uganda. We investigated the prevalence and risk factors for perinatal depression and anxiety among women who visited perinatal clinics in southwestern Uganda. Methods From June to August 2022, a cross-sectional study was conducted on women attending perinatal clinics at 20 different healthcare facilities in southwestern Uganda. Participants were chosen by multi-stage clustered sampling. To screen for depression, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used, while anxiety symptoms were evaluated using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify the risk factors for perinatal depression and anxiety. Results A total of 517 participants were enrolled. The overall prevalence of perinatal depression was 10.6%, while anxiety was 1.7%. The prevalence of antepartum depression (APD) and postpartum depression (PPD) was 9.9% and 10.8%, respectively, while the prevalence of antepartum anxiety (APA) and postpartum anxiety (PPA) was 1.0% and 3%. Adequate partner support was protective against APD (p = 0.036), and a history of stressful situations predicted APD symptoms (p = 0.001). A history of mental illness increased the likelihood of PPD symptoms (p = 0.004). There were no statistically significant risk factors for perinatal anxiety. Conclusion Perinatal depression and anxiety were highly prevalent and primarily associated with psychosocial factors in Uganda. Thus, psychosocial screening and the incorporation of social strategies into routine perinatal care services may be highly beneficial.