Prevalence and associated factors of antenatal depression among pregnant women attending Shegaw Motta general Hospital, East Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia

Antenatal depression is a commonly overlooked mental health condition that affects many women during pregnancy, often more severely than after childbirth. It presents with emotional distress and cognitive difficulties such as poor memory and concentration. Addressing this issue is vital, as it impacts not only the mother's well-being but also the healthy development of her child. This study aims to assess the prevalence of antenatal depression and the factors contributing to it. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 363 pregnant women using the Beck Depression Inventory. Data were collected from February 1 to March 21, 2020, using a systematic random sampling method. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, applying binary logistic regression to identify factors significantly associated with antenatal depression at a 95% confidence level. The prevalence of antenatal depression was found to be 22%, and factors such as marital status, education level, and lack of social support were associated with it. This result revealed that the prevalence of antenatal depression was 22%. This highlights the need for routine depression screening during ANC and strengthening psychosocial support services, particularly for women with unplanned pregnancies and limited social support.