The course of anxiety and depressive symptoms in Nigerian postpartum women

Arch Womens Ment Health. 2005 Nov;8(4):257-9. doi: 10.1007/s00737-005-0089-5. Epub 2005 Jun 17.

Abstract

Postnatal depression is mostly studied within the first 12 weeks postpartum and postnatal anxiety neglected. Using the Zung's self rating anxiety and depression scales in a repeated cross sectional study of postpartum women we found both anxiety and depressive symptoms more in first 8-weeks postpartum with a gradual decline in later postpartum period. Anxiety is more common than depression in the first 4-weeks with reversal of the trend subsequently. Both symptoms may persist till late postpartum period.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anxiety / diagnosis
  • Anxiety / ethnology*
  • Depression / diagnosis
  • Depression / ethnology*
  • Depression, Postpartum / diagnosis
  • Depression, Postpartum / ethnology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mass Screening / methods
  • Nigeria
  • Surveys and Questionnaires