Predictors of depression among pregnant women attending antenatal care in a tertiary hospital

Abstract Background: Maternal mental health status is a key determinant of fetomaternal well-being, childhood growth, and development. Yet, in many developing country settings, especially with the poor doctor–patient ratio, depression is often underdiagnosed during routine antenatal care (ANC) clinic visits. Aims and Objectives: The aim is to determine the predictors of depression, among pregnant women attending ANC in a tertiary hospital using the Beck’s depression inventory (BDI). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed, while a systematic random sampling method was used to recruit ANC clinic attendees at a tertiary teaching hospital. BDI was used to assess the mental health status of subjects, via interviewer-administration of pretested questionnaire following ethical approval. Factors associated with depression were assessed using Chi-square, Fisher’s exact, and independent t -test, with a P value set at 0.05. Results: The prevalence of clinical depression was found to be 13.2%. Lower level of education, earlier gestation period, and grandmultiparity were factors found to be significantly associated with depression ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: A significant proportion of pregnant women have suboptimal mental health status, with unmet mental health needs that potentially worsen as pregnancy progresses. Antenatal clinic consultations should emphasize mental health assessment, especially among at-risk pregnant women, toward the prevention of adverse fetomaternal consequences.