Prevalence of Depression and Intimate Partner Violence among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care Sessions in Orolu Local Government, Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study determines the prevalence of depression among pregnant women who visit specific PHCs in the Orolu Local Government, as well as to evaluate the relationship between depression and IPV, the risk factors for AD, and the experience of violence. More than one in three women worldwide report being physically or sexually abused by intimate partners. Even though the most frequent mental illness during pregnancy is depression, the majority of research on maternal depression has concentrated on postpartum depression.  This study employed a cross-sectional design using a three-stage sampling. Simple random sampling was used to pick one PHC from each of the ten stratified wards, and proportionate random sampling was used to pick respondents from each of the health facilities. All pregnant women who were present for antenatal care sessions at the time the study was carried out were recruited. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain data from the respondents. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test at p=0.05. AD affected 56.0% of the population. 26 (8.0%) of the responders reported high levels of GBV exposure while pregnant. While parity and violent experiences were linked to depression, the socio-demographic features of the respondents were not linked to depression during pregnancy. There is a need to encourage investments in effective prevention, diagnosis, and treatment initiatives that are crucial for identifying pregnant women in need of intervention to safeguard the well-being of mother and baby. AD is frequently ignored and underdiagnosed, so prenatal care should not only focus on physical health but also on emotional health. It is advised to screen for depression and IPV during prenatal visits with referral to relevant care and services.