What is the prevalence of perinatal depression among women in Ethiopia?
Perinatal depression refers to depressive symptoms during pregnancy and up to 12 months after childbirth. In Ethiopia, the condition is common, with prevalence estimates varying by study. A large umbrella review of multiple studies found that about 20% to 26% of Ethiopian women experience perinatal depression 1. Individual studies report higher rates in specific groups, such as women living with HIV or those facing food insecurity 567.
What the research says
An umbrella review that combined data from 28 primary studies and 8 systematic reviews, including over 15,500 participants, found that the prevalence of perinatal depression among Ethiopian women ranges from 20.1% to 25.8% 1. This review provides a broad estimate based on many studies across different regions and time periods.
Other studies report higher numbers. A 2023 cross-sectional study in the Kutaber district and Boru Meda hospital found that 32.2% of 552 women had perinatal depression, as measured by the DASS-21 scale 7. Similarly, a 2024 study of 755 pregnant women in the Butajira area found that about one-third were depressed at follow-up, and food insecurity was a major contributing factor 5. Among women living with HIV in the Amhara region, a 2024 study of 394 women reported a prevalence of 32.5% using the Edinburgh Perinatal Depression Scale 6.
These differences may be due to variations in study populations, screening tools, and geographic locations. The umbrella review's pooled estimate likely represents the overall burden, while individual studies highlight higher risks in vulnerable groups 1567.
What to ask your doctor
- What screening tools are available for perinatal depression in our clinic?
- Are there specific risk factors, like food insecurity or HIV status, that I should be aware of?
- How often should I be screened for depression during pregnancy and after birth?
- What treatment options are available if I screen positive for depression?
- Can you connect me with support services, such as counseling or nutritional assistance?
This question is drawn from common patient questions about OB/GYN & Women's Health and answered using cited medical research. We do not provide individualized advice.