The prevalence of depression and intimate partner violence against pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Kenyatta National Hospital
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Date
2015Author
Mwakio, Caroline W
Type
ThesisLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Background: The incidence of IPV is high in Africa while depression is a major concern in
developing countries. Mental health and women’s well-being are still a major challenge in
Kenya.
Problem Statement: There is a paucity of published scientific literature on depression and IPV
in pregnant women in Kenya.
Broad Objective: To determine the association of depression and IPV in pregnant women.
Specific Objectives: 1). to determine the prevalence of depression among pregnant women
attending the ANC and 2). to determine the prevalence of IPV among pregnant women in the
same study group
Methodology: A cross-sectional analytic quantitative design was used to recruit a sample size of
324 ANC patients at KNH, Nairobi. Systematic random sampling was used to select the
respondents. The Sociodemographic, Depression and IPV Data collected through the use of a
structured questionnaire, PHQ-9 and WHO IPV instrument. SPSS used for statistical analysis.
Results presented in tables, charts and narratives.
Results: The prevalence of antenatal depression was (91) 29%; prevalence of IPV was (52) 16%.
There was an association between antenatal depression and IPV (p = 0.033).
Discussion: This study’s findings revealed that exposure to spousal violence during pregnancy is
a risk factor for antenatal depression.
Conclusion: In Kenya, women are at risk of developing antenatal depression and experiencing
IPV in pregnancy, both leading to detrimental health effects.
Recommendations: 1). Provision of GBV and SRH follow up care services at the ANC. 2). Free
IPV services to be implemented to completion by KNH and Ministry of Health. 3). Involving
mass media in disseminating GBVRC information. 4). Psychological interventions to be
implemented such as marital therapy for couples and interpersonal therapy for unmarried women
experiencing IPV. 5). Need to increase regular assessments of mental illnesses in Primary Health
Care Setting.
Publisher
University of Nairobi