Early Postpartum Mood as a Risk Factor for Postnatal Depression in Nigerian Women

Objective: This report explored early postpartum mood changes and their correlation with postnatal depression in African women. Method: Scores on the Maternity Blues Scale and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale for 478 women on the fifth day postpartum were compared with the women’s Research Diagnostic Criteria diagnosis at 4 and 8 weeks postpartum. Results: The Maternity Blues Scale and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale scores at day 5 postpartum were found to reliably predict the diagnosis of depression at 4 and 8 weeks postpartum. Conclusions: African women at risk of postnatal depression can be identified in the early postnatal period by incorporating simple screening methods.