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Intimate partner violence victimization during pregnancy increases risk of postpartum depression among urban adolescent mothers in South Africa
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Intimate partner violence victimization during pregnancy increases risk of postpartum depression among urban adolescent mothers in South Africa

Luwam T Gebrekristos, Allison K Groves, Luz McNaughton Reyes, Dhayendre Moodley, Mags Beksinska and Suzanne Maman
Reproductive health, v 20(1), pp 68-68
02 May 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-023-01605-z
PMID: 37131269
Featured in Collection :   UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
url
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-023-01605-zView
Published, Version of Record (VoR)CC BY V4.0,  Open

Abstract

Adolescent Adolescent Mothers Adult Crime Victims - psychology Depression, Postpartum - diagnosis Depression, Postpartum - epidemiology Depression, Postpartum - etiology Female Humans Intimate Partner Violence - psychology Mothers - psychology Parturition Postpartum Period Pregnancy South Africa - epidemiology
It is estimated that 38.8% of mothers develop postpartum depression (PPD) in South Africa. While empirical evidence documents an association between intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization in pregnancy and PPD among adult women, the association has been underexamined among adolescent mothers (< 19 years). The study's purpose is to examine whether IPV victimization during pregnancy is associated with PPD among adolescent mothers. Adolescent mothers (14-19 years) were recruited at a regional hospital's maternity ward in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa between July 2017-April 2018. Participants completed behavioral assessments at two visits (n = 90): baseline (up to 4 weeks postpartum) and follow-up (6-9 weeks postpartum, when PPD is typically assessed). The WHO modified conflict tactics scale was used to create a binary measure of any physical and/or psychological IPV victimization that occurred during pregnancy. Participants with scores ≥ 13 on the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) were classified as having symptoms of PPD. We used a modified Poisson regression with robust standard errors to assess PPD in association with IPV victimization during pregnancy, controlling for relevant covariates. Nearly one-half (47%) of adolescent mothers reported symptoms of PPD by 6-9 weeks post-delivery. Further, IPV victimization during pregnancy was highly prevalent (40%). Adolescent mothers who reported IPV victimization during pregnancy had marginally higher risk of PPD at follow-up (RR: 1.50, 95 CI: 0.97-2.31; p = 0.07). The association was strengthened and significant in covariate-adjusted analysis (RR: 1.62, 95 CI: 1.06-2.49; p = 0.03). Poor mental health was common among adolescent mothers, and IPV victimization during pregnancy was associated with PPD risk among adolescent mothers. Implementing IPV and PPD routine screenings during the perinatal period may aid in identifying adolescent mothers for IPV and PPD interventions and treatment. With the high prevalence of IPV and PPD in this vulnerable population and the potential negative impact on maternal and infant outcomes, interventions to reduce IPV and PPD are needed to improve adolescent mothers' well-being and their baby's health.

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11 citations in Web of Science
7 citations in Scopus

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being
#5 Gender Equality

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
International collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
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