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Description
Background: Depression among first time postpartum mothers may influenced how their babies are fed. Despite reported cases of depression in Bamvim community in Northern region, little studies have assessed the effect of depression and its relationship with child feeding.
Aim: To examine the effect of maternal postpartum depression on child feeding among first time mothers in Tamale metropolis
Method: The study employed analytical cross sectional study design consisting of 52 first time postpartum mothers. The data was collected using a validated questionnaire and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. All statistical test were conducted at 5% significance level.
Findings: The study revealed that 89% of respondents reported depression above the screening cutoff. Respondents who showed severe depression were 4.12 times more likely not to breastfeed their babies as compared to those who were not depressed (AOR 4.12, 95% CI 0.12-6.91; p <0.001). The study found that, respondents who showed severe depression were 2.22 times more likely to have malnourished children as compared to those who were not depressed (AOR 2.22, 95% CI 0.12-4.41; p=0.002). From the findings, 67% respondents who were depressed did not pressure their babies to feed.
Conclusion: Respondents who showed postpartum depression exhibited poor feeding practices as compared to those without depression. Depressed mothers were more likely to have malnourished children. The study recommended that, health staff should conduct early depression screening of first time mothers at the first trimester to help reduce the effect on child feeding in Bamvim community.
Keywords: Depression, postpartum, malnourished, feeding, Bamvim
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