Depressive State Assessment of Pregnant Women Attending the Antenatal Clinic of University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Antenatal depression, with a global prevalence of between 15 and 65%, is a clinical condition characterised by persistent sadness, anxiety, and hopelessness during pregnancy. It is a strong predictor of postpartum depression, and it negatively impacts pregnancy outcomes, maternal-child bonding, and child development. Untreated antenatal depression could lead to an increased risk of obstetric complications, inadequate prenatal care, poor maternal nutrition, substance abuse, and in severe cases, maternal suicide. Despite being a significant global public health concern, antenatal depression is often overlooked in developing countries like Nigeria, both in terms of research and treatment. Consequently, only a few studies are focusing on antenatal depression, resulting in a poor understanding of the prevalence of depressive symptoms during pregnancy and their associated risk factors. This study aims to fill the gap in knowledge regarding antenatal depression in the Ilorin population. A cross-sectional study was conducted among over 200 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, where participants were administered a battery of questionnaires (ANRQ, PHQ-9, and QIDSS-163) after obtaining informed consent. The results were analysed using. The results showed that the level of education (ANRQ, QIDSS 16), number of live births (QIDSS-16), age, and number of children (PHQ-9) have a positive impact on the risk and severity of antenatal depression in pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at UITH. Age, level of education, number of live births, and number of children are strong predictors of the risk and severity of antenatal depression.

Key Words: Antenatal Depression; Antenatal Risk Questionnaire (ANRQ); Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9); Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS-SR)