Postpartum Depression and Associated Factors among Mothers Who Gave Birth in the Last 12 Months in Mogadishu Somalia, Community Based Cross-Sectional Study

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a term applied to describe depressive symptoms occurring during the first year of the postpartum period and is characterized by low mood, loss of enjoyment, reduced energy, and activity, marked functional impairment, reduced self-esteem, ideas or acts of self-harm or suicide. The women’s change into motherhood is a difficult period that involves significant changes in the psychological, social and physiological aspects, and is considered to increase vulnerability for the development of mental illness. In Somalia, 1 in 20 women aged 15 - 49 die due to pregnancy- or birth-related complications every year. This makes being pregnant in Somalia a risk that has its own stress and anxiety. Objective: To evaluate postpartum depression and associated factors among mothers who gave birth in the last 12 months in Mogadishu, Somalia. Methodology: The study is analytic cross sectional study design in which postpartum depression and its associated factors are measured. We used Cochran’s formula (Z2p(1 – p)/d2). Results: One fifth of the study population was found to have postpartum depression and the factors relating to it included marital status, substance abuse, mode and place of delivery. Conclusion: This shows that neglected mental health of the mothers in Somalia has its burden on the society. Recommendation: Mental health care component should be integrated with maternal care programs available in the country to work on prevention and control of motherhood related stress and depression among mothers who are giving birth under the very difficult circumstances in the country.