KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTIONS OF POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION AMONGST PREGNANT MOTHERS ATTENDING ANTENATAL AT PHC LAMINGO

TOPIC: KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTIONS OF POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION AMONGST PREGNANT MOTHERS ATTENDING ANTENATAL AT PHC LAMINGO

TOPIC IS SUITABLE FOR:
1-Department of Nursing Science
2-Department of Public Health
3-Department of Community Health
4-Department of Psychology
This research material contains:
1-Chapter One to Five
2-Recent References/Citations
3-Tables/Charts/Graphs in Chapter Four
4-Accurate Data Analysis
5-Table of Contents
6-Questionnaire

ABSTRACT 
This study was carried out to examine the knowledge and perceptions of postpartum depression among pregnant mothers attending antenatal care at Primary Health Care Lamingo. The study was specifically carried out to assess the level of knowledge of postpartum depression among pregnant mothers attending antenatal care at Primary Health Care Lamingo, assess the perceptions of pregnant mothers towards postpartum depression at Primary Health Care Lamingo, assess the perceived consequences of postpartum depression among mothers at Primary Health Care Lamingo and assess the awareness of the measures for managing postpartum depression among mothers at Primary Health Care Lamingo. The study employed the descriptive research design. Hence, the questionnaire was used for data collection, while the data collected were analyzed using frequency tables, percentages and descriptive statistics. The hypotheses test was conducted using Chi-square and Logistic Regression statistical tools. The population of the study consists of 250 mothers attending antenatal care at Primary Health Care Lamingo. A total of 139 respondents were selected as the validated sample size using multi-stage sampling technique involving stratified and convenience sampling methods. The participants consist of pregnant mothers attending antenatal care at Primary Health Care Lamingo. From the responses obtained and analyzed, the findings reveal that pregnant mothers attending antenatal care at Primary Health Care Lamingo did not demonstrate a statistically significant adequate level of knowledge of postpartum depression with a Chi-square value of 2.59, degree of freedom of 1 and p-value of 0.107. The study also reveals that postpartum depression has significant perceived consequences among mothers attending antenatal care at Primary Health Care Lamingo, with emotional well-being recording β = 0.842, Wald = 7.276, P = .007, ability to care for baby recording β = 0.615, Wald = 4.689, P = .030, family relationship difficulties recording β = 0.731, Wald = 5.899, P = .015, physical health effect recording β = 0.558, Wald = 4.181, P = .041, reduced quality of life recording β = 0.916, Wald = 7.948, P = .005 and child growth and development effect recording β = 0.674, Wald = 5.181, P = .023. The study therefore recommends that healthcare providers should integrate comprehensive postpartum depression education into routine antenatal care sessions, while primary healthcare authorities should provide counseling services and psychological support for pregnant mothers to improve awareness, early identification and effective management of postpartum depression.
Keywords: Postpartum Depression, Pregnant Mothers, Antenatal Care, Maternal Mental Health.

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION (Preview)
1.1 Background of the Study
Maternal mental health continues to be a major issue in the global health arena, especially in the context of emotional and psychological shifts associated with childbirth. Emotional disturbances during the perinatal period have been reported as an important factor of decreased wellbeing of women in different populations and are affected by cultural, biological and social factors. Mental health during and after pregnancy is not a standalone issue and has been found to be associated with other reproductive health experiences (Liu et al., 2021; Terada et al., 2021). In a few areas, the attention has been on the impact of mother's emotional state on her own immediate and long-term wellbeing. Awareness, belief systems and patterns of healthcare engagement, as described in studies like Wang et al. (2023), also play a role in shaping maternal psychological health. In the midst of this body of evidence, postpartum depression has become a significant issue that needs to be addressed at various levels of maternal care services in a structured manner.
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a well-studied mental health disorder in women that causes emotional, cognitive, and behavioural changes after childbirth. It is found that its prevalence is different among populations and is influenced by demographic and psychosocial factors (Khamidullina et al., 2025; Adedoyin et al., 2026). A study in some African contexts has revealed that awareness of this condition among mothers is not even, impacting on early recognition and response patterns among mothers visiting health care facilities (Abba et al., 2023; Abazie and Usoro, 2021). Moreover, Amer et al. (2024) pointed out the close relationship between maternal knowledge and educational exposure and healthcare communication strategies. The findings from the studies in Nigeria also indicate that there are different extents of awareness and perception among pregnant women of psychological changes after childbirth. These variations give a starting point to explore how pregnant women perceive emotional shifts in the perinatal period and how these perceptions affect their willingness to seek assistance.
Postpartum depression perception is important to influence maternal response behaviours and emotional appraisal of childbirth experiences. The cultural beliefs, social expectations, and informational exposure have been seen to influence women's perception of symptoms related to postpartum psychological changes (Adeoye et al., 2022; Youshaa et al., 2025). Furthermore, Agrawal et al., (2022) highlighted that perception is closely related to perceived causation and acceptability of mental health conditions among mothers. Research in various settings also shows that support structures and communication in healthcare settings play a role in shaping maternal perceptions (Feyissa et al., 2025; Wang et al., 2023). Terada et al. (2021) also showed that social support is a significant factor in emotional appraisal in the postpartum period. These perceptual differences are relevant to the interpretation of mental wellbeing during pregnancy and after birth by pregnant women, especially in primary healthcare contexts where initial maternal experiences take place.
Another dimension of maternal mental health behaviour in the perinatal period is perceived consequences and awareness of management strategies. According to the literature, postpartum depression can be accompanied by emotional withdrawal, impaired functioning of mothers, and disrupted bonding experiences (Liu et al., 2021; Khamidullina et al., 2025). Furthermore, Nweke et al. (2022) pointed out that untreated maternal psychological conditions can impact on family wellbeing and infant development outcomes. There is a wide variation in the awareness of management measures like counselling, social support and health care intervention, which affects help seeking behaviour (Feyissa et al., 2025; Abba et al., 2023). Moreover, Wang et al. (2023) and Amer et al. (2024) highlighted the importance of maternal involvement in preventive and management measures in relation to their previous knowledge and exposure to health education. In Primary Health Care Lamingo, determining the knowledge of pregnant mothers about postpartum depression, the perception of the impact of postpartum depression and their knowledge of available postpartum depression management measures offers a framework for assessing mothers' readiness and information needs when receiving antenatal health care services.

1.2 Statement of the Problem
Postpartum depression is becoming a significant maternal mental health disorder with implications for the wellbeing of mothers, infants, and families. While there has been a significant focus on its prevalence and determinants in various populations, there is evidence that many women are poorly informed about the condition and may not easily recognise the signs or implications for the condition. Wang et al. (2023) reported that there is a lack of consistency in knowledge and practices regarding postpartum depression among women, and Abazie and Usoro (2021) identified variations among mothers' knowledge of postpartum depression in Nigeria. In the same vein, Amer et al. (2024) found that postpartum depression remains prevalent among women from various countries, despite significant variations in the recognition and awareness of the condition. This indicates that the awareness of mothers on mental health literacy for postpartum depression is not uniform and needs to be continually evaluated in specific groups.
Existing evidence from Nigeria and elsewhere has focused largely on the prevalence, predictors, and associated factors of postpartum depression. Abba et al. (2023), Adeoye et al. (2022), Olarinmoye (2024), and Mohammed et al. (2025) reported cases of postpartum depression in women from various settings in Nigeria and found many factors associated with the development of postpartum depression. While these studies have placed a significant contribution in the literature on mental health of mothers, less attention has been given to understanding mothers' knowledge of postpartum depression, their perceptions of postpartum depression, their views on the consequences of postpartum depression, and their awareness of management measures for postpartum depression, especially in primary healthcare. This is important because how women perceive and are aware of the emotional changes that occur in the postnatal period can impact their willingness to seek out the right support.
Pregnancy is a pivotal moment in which to raise awareness of mental health for mothers, as during this time, there are opportunities to educate and prepare for the postnatal period. Social and informational factors are important factors that affect maternal responses to psychological conditions during and after childbirth, according to Terada et al. (2021). Khamidullina et al. (2025) also pointed out that postpartum depression has a variety of emotional and functional implications that need to be identified and managed in time. Nweke et al. (2022) and Agrawal et al. (2022) also argued that postpartum depression is influenced by multifactorial processes that require holistic approaches to maternal health. Therefore, it is important to explore the knowledge, perceptions, perceived consequences and awareness of management measures on postpartum depression among pregnant mothers attending antenatal care at Primary Health Care Lamingo. The results of this study will provide empirical data that can be used in educating mothers on mental health and information to support the strengthening of antenatal counselling and primary healthcare interventions on postpartum depression.
1.3 Objective of the Study
The main purpose of this study is to examine the knowledge and perceptions of postpartum depression amongst pregnant mothers attending antenatal at Phc Lamingo
Specific objectives:
1.Assess the level of knowledge of postpartum depression among pregnant mothers attending antenatal care at Primary Health Care Lamingo.
2.Assess the perceptions of pregnant mothers towards postpartum depression at Primary Health Care Lamingo.
3.Assess the perceived consequences of postpartum depression among mothers at Primary Health Care Lamingo.
4.Assess the awareness of the measures for managing postpartum depression among mothers at Primary Health Care Lamingo.
OTHER PARTS OF CHAPTER ONE INCLUDE:
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Research Hypotheses
1.6 Significance of the Study
1.7 Scope of the Study
1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF LITERATURE (Preview)
This chapter critically examines relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and, furthermore, recognizes the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps. This chapter, therefore, focuses on the concept of postpartum depression, knowledge of postpartum depression, perceptions of postpartum depression, prevalence and causes of postpartum depression, symptoms and risk factors of postpartum depression, etc. The chapter is sub-grouped into the following major headings:
2.1 Conceptual Framework
2.2 Theoretical Framework
2.3 Empirical Review
2.4 Summary of Literature Review

CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY (Preview)
Presented below is a snapshot of key areas of the study methodology, the full and detail chapter three methodology is contained in the instant download document.

Research Design: The study adopted a descriptive research design.
Population of the Study: The population of the study comprised pregnant mothers attending antenatal care services at Primary Health Care Lamingo, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Sample Size Determination: The study adopted the Taro Yamane formula to determine a sample size of 154 participants.
Sampling Technique: The study employed a multi-stage sampling technique involving stratified and convenience sampling methods to select the respondents.
Research Instrument: The study utilized a structured questionnaire as the instrument for data collection.
Methods of Data Analysis: The collected data were analyzed using frequencies and percentages to summarize and present the demographic characteristics of the respondents and their responses. Inferential statistics, such as Chi-square and logistic regression, were used to test the hypotheses.
Full outline for chapter three:
3.1 Research Design
3.2 Research Setting
3.3 Target Population
3.4 Sample Size
3.5 Sampling Technique
3.6 Instruments For Data Collection
3.7 Validity and Reliability of Instrument
3.8 Pilot Study
3.9 Method of Data Collection
3.10 Method Of Data Analysis
3.11 Ethical considerations

CHAPTER FOUR; DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
MAJOR FINDINGS (Preview)
The analysis results were presented in tables. Based on the results obtained from the analysis, the following findings are made: 

i. The study found that pregnant mothers attending antenatal care at Primary Health Care Lamingo demonstrated a moderate level of knowledge of postpartum depression, as evidenced by 74 respondents with adequate knowledge compared to 65 with inadequate knowledge. The corresponding hypothesis test showed a Chi-square value of 2.59 and a p-value of 0.107 (p > 0.05), leading to the acceptance of the null hypothesis.

ii. The study found that pregnant mothers attending antenatal care at Primary Health Care Lamingo generally held positive perceptions of postpartum depression, as evidenced by the majority of respondents agreeing that the condition deserves medical attention, pregnant women should receive education before delivery, and family and community support are important. However, some respondents still associated postpartum depression with personal weakness and believed affected mothers were overreacting.

iii. The study found that postpartum depression has significant perceived consequences among mothers attending antenatal care at Primary Health Care Lamingo, including effects on emotional well-being, childcare, family relationships, physical health, quality of life, and child growth and development. The corresponding logistic regression analysis showed statistically significant results across all six indicators, with p-values ranging from 0.005 to 0.041 (p < 0.05), leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis.

iv. The study found that pregnant mothers demonstrated awareness of measures for managing postpartum depression, as evidenced by their agreement that professional counselling, regular health education, family support, early detection, and treatment can help manage the condition. However, some respondents still expressed misconceptions about seeking professional help and the importance of family support.

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
This chapter covers the following outline:
5.1 Discussion of Findings 
5.2 Implications of the findings
5.3 Limitations of the Study
5.4 Summary 
5.5 Conclusion
5.6 Recommendations
5.7 Suggestions for Further Studies

Reference

Appendix

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