Objective: To determine the incidence and associated risk factors of postpartum depression in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria.
Patients and methods: A survey of 206 consecutive women who were 6 weeks postpartum was done, using the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS), in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Fisher's exact test was used to determine significance between proportions . The Odd ratio and 95% Confidence Intervals were also determined.
Results: The incidence of postpartum depression was 27.2%. Preterm delivery was found to be a risk factor for postpartum depression in the study population (P<0.0001, OR=8.0, CI=2.9-22.1).
Conclusion: It is recommended that the EPDS should be used routinely to screen for postnatal depression in puerperal Nigerian women and that mulltidisciplinary approach involving Obstetricians and Mental health professionals should be adopted in the screening for, and care of women with postpartum depression.