MIDWIVES' KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION SCREENING IN ALEX EKWUEME FEDERAL UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, ABAKALIKI

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant public health concern affecting maternal and child health outcomes. Midwives play a crucial role in early detection through systematic screening, yet evidence suggests substantial gaps in knowledge and practice, particularly in resource-limited settings. This study assessed midwives' knowledge and practice of postpartum depression screening at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (AEFUTHA), Nigeria, and identified factors influencing both knowledge and practice. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 150 registered midwives working in obstetrics and gynecology units at AEFUTHA. Data were collected using a validated, self-administered questionnaire (Cronbach's alpha = 0.77) covering socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of PPD screening, screening practices, and influencing factors. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and binary logistic regression. Results: The majority of participants (62.0%) were aged 31–35 years, with 73.3% holding bachelor's degrees. While 74.7% were aware of PPD screening, only 49.3% engaged in actual screening practice. Chi-square analysis revealed a significant association between knowledge and practice (χ² = 8.62, p = 0.003). Logistic regression identified good knowledge (OR = 4.12, p = 0.009), availability of screening tools (OR = 3.95, p = 0.001), and ≥10 years' experience (OR = 2.08, p = 0.047) as significant predictors of good practice, while heavy workload significantly reduced practice likelihood (OR = 0.42, p = 0.021). Educational qualification (OR = 2.32, p = 0.002), years of experience (OR = 1.43, p = 0.017), and previous training on PPD (OR = 3.09, p = 0.005) significantly predicted knowledge levels. Conclusion: Despite moderate awareness, substantial knowledge-practice gaps exist in PPD screening among midwives at AEFUTHA. Targeted interventions including structured training programs, provision of validated screening tools, and workload optimization are essential to enhance routine PPD screening and improve maternal mental health outcomes.