FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION AMONG MOTHERS DELIVERING AT KISUMU COUNTY HOSPITAL

Abstract

Postpartum depression is a common occurrence which is often undiagnosed when symptoms are not severe and may progress into severe or chronic state if unrecognized and untreated. Being the most frequent form of mental illness in the postpartum period, it can begin as early as two weeks after delivery and can persist if untreated. This research provides baseline data and information on factors contributing to postpartum depression mothers delivering at Kisumu County hospital. The specific objectives established medical related factors at diagnosis of postpartum depression, determined the socioeconomic related factors of women diagnosed with postpartum depression. The research used various methodological procedures. Systemic sampling technique was utilized to obtain information. Data was collected from respondents using structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics such as the measure of central tendency was adopted to summarize the characteristics of data collected and to draw conclusions about the population under study. Summary tables, frequency tables, charts and graphs representation of data was used to present the information collected. The findings from this study reports that 10.6% to have postpartum depression which was related to low socioeconomic factors. In conclusion medical related factors did not appear significant to be associated with postpartum depression and socioeconomic related factors such as low income and unemployment was significantly associated with postpartum depression. This study recommends for routine screening of mothers for factors associated with postpartum depression.