Postpartum Depression and Physical Activity Among Women Attending Postnatal Clinics in a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria

The reproductive years come with their own share of mental health issues with childbirth and the postpartum period being a particularly vulnerable time for mothers leading to an increase in the risk of depressive disorders. Postpartum depression has a huge public health effect on the mother with long-term consequences on the child and family. Research has shown that physical activity is beneficial; however, such studies are lacking in Nigeria. Therefore, this study sought to look at the association between postpartum depression and physical activity and determine its prevalence among women in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. 

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 401 women attending immunization and postnatal clinics at the University College Hospital Ibadan. The data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire containing a self-developed socio-demographic section, Edinburgh postnatal depression scale to measure postpartum depression, and an International physical activity questionnaire (short type) to as sess physical activity. Analysis was done using the Chi-square test and multivariate analysis to determine independent factors. Significance was set at 0.05. 

More than a third of the respondents (37.8%) had postpartum depression. Physical activity level was high (72.1%). High levels of physical activity increased the odds of postpartum depression compared to lower levels (95% CI= 0.797-0.97). Gender of the child, marital relationship satisfaction, and age of the child were independently associated with postpartum depression.

This study showed that the prevalence of postpartum depression is greater than previously reported in past studies in southwest Nigeria and high levels of physical activity may increase the risk of postpartum depression.