Assessment of Mental Health of Pregnant and Postpartum Women Attending Antenatal and Postnatal Service in Tertiary Health Institutions in Anambra State.

November 13, 2025 torgjournaladmin 0
Categories : Maternal Health , Mental Health , Obstetrics and Gynecology , Original Research , Postnatal Service , The Operating Room Global , The Operating Room Global Journal , TORGJ , TORGJ Issue 1 Vol 1
Tags :

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.64573/torgj2509008

Authors: Ada Esther Ozoemena1*, Faith Diorgu2, Blessing Tochukwu Onyeje3

 1 College of Nursing Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra, Nigeria.
2 College of Nursing Science, University of Port Harcourt.
3 Department of Nursing Science, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra, Nigeria.

Cite:

  • APA (7th edition): Ozoemena, A. E., Diorgu, F., & Onyeje, B. T. (2025). Assessment of mental health of pregnant and postpartum women attending antenatal and postnatal service in tertiary health institutions in Anambra State. The Operating Room Global Journal (TORGJ), 1(1). https://doi.org/10.64573/torgj2509008
  • Harvard: Ozoemena, A.E., Diorgu, F. and Onyeje, B.T., 2025. Assessment of mental health of pregnant and postpartum women attending antenatal and postnatal service in tertiary health institutions in Anambra State. The Operating Room Global Journal (TORGJ), 1(1). Available at: https://doi.org/10.64573/torgj2509008
  • Vancouver: Ozoemena AE, Diorgu F, Onyeje BT. Assessment of mental health of pregnant and postpartum women attending antenatal and postnatal service in tertiary health institutions in Anambra State. The Operating Room Global Journal (TORGJ). 2025;1(1). https://doi.org/10.64573/torgj2509008
  • MLA (9th edition): Ozoemena, Ada Esther, Faith Diorgu, and Blessing Tochukwu Onyeje. “Assessment of Mental Health of Pregnant and Postpartum Women Attending Antenatal and Postnatal Service in Tertiary Health Institutions in Anambra State.” The Operating Room Global Journal (TORGJ), vol. 1, no. 1, 2025, https://doi.org/10.64573/torgj2509008
  • Chicago (Author–Date): Ozoemena, Ada Esther, Faith Diorgu, and Blessing Tochukwu Onyeje. 2025. “Assessment of Mental Health of Pregnant and Postpartum Women Attending Antenatal and Postnatal Service in Tertiary Health Institutions in Anambra State.” The Operating Room Global Journal (TORGJ) 1 (1). https://doi.org/10.64573/torgj2509008

Corresponding Author*:
Ada Esther Ozoemena
[email protected],
Declaration:
Authors’ Contribution: Equal contributions.
Conflict of Interest:
No conflict of interest
Funding:
No funding received by the authors.

Article History:
Received: 14-08-2025
Accepted: 09-11-2025
Available Online : 13-11-2025
QR Code Access to this Article
ABSTRACT
Background: Pregnancy and the postpartum period are associated with heightened vulnerability to mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, psychosis, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In low- and middle-income settings like Nigeria, these conditions are often underdiagnosed and undertreated due to stigma, poor integration into maternal health services, and limited awareness. This study aimed to assess the mental health status of pregnant and postpartum women attending antenatal and postnatal services in tertiary health institutions in Anambra State, Nigeria.
Methods: This study adopted a cross-sectional analytical design. A total of 310 pregnant and postpartum women attending antenatal and postnatal clinics were recruited from tertiary health institutions in Anambra State. Data were collected using self-report instruments. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire “Assessment of Mental Health of Pregnant and Postpartum Women Questionnaire” developed by the researchers. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and inferential statistics of Independent T-test. Alpha level was set at 0.05.
Results: The findings of this study revealed a high extent of depression (x̅ = 2.60), anxiety (x̅ = 3.16), psychotic symptoms (x̅ = 3.14) as well as post-traumatic stress disorder (x̅ = 3.15). There was significant difference in the opinion of pregnant and postpartum women on the extent of occurrence of anxiety disorder ( p = 0.047). There were no significant differences in the opinion of pregnant and postpartum women on the extent of occurrence of depression (p = 0.064), psychotic symptoms (p = 0.83) and post-traumatic stress disorder (p = 0.91).
Conclusion: Mental health disorders are prevalent among pregnant and postpartum women in tertiary health facilities in Anambra State, underscoring the need for routine psychological assessment as part of maternal care. Strengthening the capacity of healthcare providers through targeted training in perinatal mental health, alongside integrating mental and physical health services, can improve early detection and management.
Keywords: Maternal Mental Health; Pregnancy; Perinatal Care; Postpartum Depression; Anxiety Disorders.

Download Full Text Below

Final torgj2509008Download

«
»

© 2025-2027 The Operating Room Global Journal (TORGJ), except certain content provided by third parties.