Incidence of postpartum depression among women with postpartum haemorrhage in Kano, northern Nigeria

• Published in: npj Women's Health Vol. 2; no. 1; pp. 1 - 7
• Main Authors: Tsiga-Ahmed, Fatimah Isma’il, Umar, Musa Usman, Adamu, Aishatu Lawal, Sulaiman, Sahabi Kabir, Gboluwaga, Amole Taiwo, Jalo, Rabiu Ibrahim, Ibrahim, Usman Muhammad, Ayaba, Aminatu Kwaku, Ahmed, Zainab Datti, Sunusi, Surayya Murtala, Abdullahi, Nafisat Tijjjani, Kabir, Hajara Shehu, Abu, Stephen Mohammed, Galadanci, Hadiza Shehu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 10.09.2024; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 692/699; 692/700; Gynecology; Maternal and Child Health; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Psychiatry; Reproductive Medicine; Sexual Medicine
• ISSN: 2948-1716
• DOI: 10.1038/s44294-024-00031-1

The burden of postpartum depression (PPD), an important but largely neglected cause of maternal morbidity, is often increased by the presence of common co-morbidities, such as postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). Additionally, stress and the absence of social support can amplify PPD risk. Understanding the relationship between these conditions will help identify at-risk women and allow prompt intervention. Using a prospective cohort design, we recruited 72 women who had experienced PPH and another 72 women who had not within 24 h of delivery to assess the risk of PPD among them. The cumulative incidence of PPD among all participants was 15.3% (19/124). There was insufficient evidence to suggest that women with PPH have a higher risk of PPD than women without PPH (OR: 1.32; 95% CI: 0.55–3.13). Poor social support and high perceived stress increased the risk of PPD. We recommend screening for PPD among women with high perceived stress and low social support.