The prevalence of mental health morbidity and its associated factors among women attending a prenatal clinic in Tanzania.

Journal: International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics

Volume: 130

Issue: 3

Year of Publication: 2016

Affiliated Institutions:  Institute of Public Health, University of Heidelberg, Neuenheimer Feld , Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Psychology, University of Dodoma, Dodoma, Tanzania. Electronic address: bmahenge@gmail.com. Department of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK. Department of Psychiatry, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Abstract summary 

To establish the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among women attending prenatal care in Tanzania, and identify associated factors.A cross-sectional study was conducted of one in five physically well women attending a prenatal-care clinic in Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam, between December 2011 and April 2012. Trained research assistants carried out face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. The Hopkins Symptoms Checklist and the PTSD Diagnostic Scale were used to establish levels of depression and anxiety symptoms.Among the 1180 women interviewed, 905 (76.7%) had symptoms of anxiety, 923 (78.2%) had symptoms of depression, and 58 (4.9%) had moderate/severe PTSD symptoms. After adjustment for women's sociodemographic characteristics, age of the woman and their partner, educational level of the woman and their partner, relationship duration, employment, and marital status were associated with symptoms of at least one of the three mental disorders (P<0.05 for all).Many pregnant women had symptoms of mental health disorders. Screening of mental health disorders during prenatal care and training of healthcare providers are needed.

Authors & Co-authors:  Mahenge Bathsheba B Stöckl Heidi H Likindikoki Samuel S Kaaya Sylvia S Mbwambo Jessie J

Study Outcome 

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Citations : 
Authors :  5
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1016/j.ijgo.2015.04.032
SSN : 1879-3479
Study Population
Female,Women
Mesh Terms
Adolescent
Other Terms
Anxiety;Depression;Mental health;Post-traumatic stress disorder;Pregnancy;Prenatal care;Tanzania
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Country of Study
Tanzania
Publication Country
United States