Prevalence and Predictors of Postnatal Depression Among Mothers in North Central Nigeria: A Community-Based Study

Postnatal depression (PND) affects maternal wellbeing, mother-infant bonding, and infant development, yet its prevalence and predictors in community populations of North Central Nigeria have not been documented through validated community-based assessment. This community-based cross-sectional study determines the prevalence of PND and its predictors among mothers within 12 weeks postpartum in Kogi, Nasarawa, and Plateau States. Random household sampling recruited 360 postpartum women. PND was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), with a threshold score of 13 or above denoting probable PND. Structured questionnaires captured sociodemographic and obstetric factors. PND prevalence was 21.4 percent. Logistic regression identified lack of social support (OR 4.2), history of depression or anxiety (OR 3.9), birth complications (OR 3.1), financial hardship (OR 2.8), and intimate partner violence (OR 3.4) as independent PND predictors. Only 7 percent of PND-positive women had ever received mental health support from a health provider. Rural women had significantly higher EPDS scores than urban counterparts. The study provides the first community PND prevalence estimate from three North Central states and identifies a substantial untreated burden. Recommendations include EPDS screening integration into postnatal contacts, postnatal home visit programmes with trained community health workers, and mental health referral pathway strengthening. Keywords: postnatal depression, EPDS, North Central Nigeria, community-based study, predictors