The magnitude and determinants of depressive symptoms amongst women in early pregnancy in Southern Nigeria: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Antenatal depression (AD) is prevalent and associated with adverse pregnancy, maternal and child outcomes, yet no study has addressed its magnitude and predictors in early pregnancy in Nigeria. Aim: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with AD in first half of pregnancy. Setting: Multicentric health facilities in Southern Nigeria. Methods: A multicentric health-facilities-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to July 2018. Using pretested structure interviewer-administered questionnaires, antenatal depressive symptoms were assessed amongst 511 pregnant mothers with the Edinburg Postnatal Depressive Scale tool. Socio-demographic, socio-economic, clinical, family and social factors were also measured. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to describe and identify factors associated with AD. Results: The prevalence of antenatal depressive symptoms in early pregnancy in this study was 29.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 26.6-32.9). Factors independently associated with AD were intimate partner violence (adjusted odds ratios [AOR] = 8.10, 95% CI 5.00-13.14), marital dissatisfaction (AOR 5.48, 95% CI 3.48-8.38), poor social support (AOR 4.70; 95% CI 2.99-7.38), past history of depression (AOR 4.67; 95% CI 2.47-8.80), previous pregnancy complication (AOR 2.50, 95% CI 1.57-3.89), low socio-economic status (AOR 2.41, 95% CI 1.61-3.66) and unplanned pregnancy (AOR 2.35, 95% CI 1.47-3.64). Conclusions: The prevalence of antenatal depression is high with modifiable risk factors requiring context-specific policies such as provision of family, social and economic support for mothers at the earliest possible contact in the antenatal period.

Attitudes of Nigerian women toward the presence of their husband or partner as a support person during labor.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the attitudes of Nigerian women regarding the presence of a husband/partner during labor. METHODS: Women who were invited to participate in a randomized trial regarding companionship in labor at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Nigeria, were interviewed in a qualitative cross-sectional survey. Demographic characteristics and opinions regarding the presence of a partner/husband as a support person during labor were assessed. RESULTS: Of the 197 women interviewed, 69 declined all forms of social companionship during labor; of the remaining 128 participants--who did not object to having a social companion--71 declined to have their husband/partner present during labor because of: personal embarrassment (28 [39.4%]); fear of loss of sexual attractiveness (19 [26.8%]); concern for their husband/partner (17 [23.9%]); and lack of privacy (15 [21.1%]). Of the 57 women whose husband/partner accompanied them during labor, 38 (66.7%) said that they would repeat the experience in subsequent labor, and 34 (59.6%) would recommend it. However, 15 (26.3%) expressed dissatisfaction. CONCLUSION: The issue of husband/partner companionship during labor is viewed with concern by Nigerian women, who should be allowed to make an informed decision.