Magnitude of antenatal depression and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at public health facilities in Chelia Ditrict, West Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND

Antenatal depression is an important yet often overlooked health issue impacting pregnant women, especially in low-resource settings. This condition can lead to worse outcomes for both mothers and babies. The study aimed to evaluate the magnitude of antenatal depression and its associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at public health facilities in Chelia district, West Shoa, Oromia, Ethiopia, in 2023.

METHODS

A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 25 to March 26, 2023, involving 333 pregnant women selected using systematic random sampling. Data were collected through interviewer-administered structured questionnaires, including the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify associated factors of antenatal depression, with the level of significance set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

The results showed that the magnitude of antenatal depression among the studied group was 30.9% (95% CI: 26.01–36.2). Several significant factors contributed to antenatal depression, including lack of contraceptive use, low income, unplanned pregnancies, previous stillbirths, intimate partner violence, history of depression, and inadequate social support.

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly one in three pregnant women experienced antenatal depression in this study, highlighting a critical public health issue. We identified key risk factors including unplanned pregnancy, low income, lack of contraceptives, history of pregnancy loss, exposure to intimate partner violence, previous depression, and poor social support. These findings underscore the multifactorial nature of antenatal depression and highlight the need for integrated, multi-sectorial interventions. The study suggests strengthening routine screening for antenatal depression, improving access to family planning services, enhancing social support systems, and integrating mental health into maternal health programs can boost both maternal well-being and pregnancy outcomes. These findings are crucial for informing targeted interventions, strengthening antenatal care, and guiding evidence-informed decision-making to improve maternal and child health outcomes.