Post-partum women experience changes in their mental health while trying to adapt to the role of parenting. These changes have caused disruption in the women’s mental wellbeing and if not well examined can lead to psychological distress and post-partum blues during the post-natal period. Hence, this study aims at assessing the knowledge of psychological distress and post-partum blues among pregnant women. A cross sectional descriptive study design was employed with a random sampling technique to select 150 women attending antenatal clinic in Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa. The instrument for hthis study is a structured questionnaire with a reliability co-efficient score of 0.76. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics of mean, frequencies and percentages. Findings from the study shows that the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents are between 2029years and 30-39years. Findings further showed that majority of respondents are mostly Christian and all of them are married. Majority of the respondents are Yoruba and the family setting are monogamy and the level of education attained by respondents are tertiary institution. Majority of the respondents are either civil servant or business class. majority of the respondents have either one or two children are at present are in their second or third trimester of pregnancy. Lastly, majority of the respondents earn below N500,000 per annum. The study observed that respondents are knowledgeable about the risk factors and symptoms of psychological distress and post-partum blue. respondents are knowledgeable about the management and prevention of psychological distress and the level of Findings also revealed that
psychological distress among respondents is very low, 12% using the Kessler-10 distress level scale. There is need to assess psychological distress among post-partum women and to provide psychological support by health care workers and family members, thereby further reducing its occurrence among them. An intervention package should be designed to facilitate prevention of psychological distress.
- Beatrice | M. | Ohaeri | bmkohaeri@yahoo.co.uk | 09098124097, Beatrice | O. | Owolabi | owolabibeatrice@yahoo.com | 08038585963, Chiemerigo | A. | Onyeneho | chiemerigoanne@gmail.com | 08067242852
- Knowledge; psychological distress; post-partum blues; pregnant women
- Lautech New Edition April 2020 Article 16
