Factors associated with paternal perinatal depression in fathers of newborns in Nigeria

Introduction: There is a lack of information on paternal postnatal depression in developing countries such as Nigeria.Methods: This study aims to assess the prevalence of depression in fathers at the birth of their infants and the incidence of paternal postnatal depression at 6weeks postpartum. We also examined the correlation between paternal postpartum depression (PPD) at 6weeks and maternal PPD as well as the sociodemographic and other correlates of paternal PPD at 6weeks.Results: All the 331 fathers recruited at baseline completed the study. Prevalence of depression in fathers at birth of their babies was 10 (3%). After excluding the 3%, the incidence of PPD in fathers (N=321) at 6weeks was 19 (5.9%). In all, 29 (8.8%) fathers had PPD. The prevalence of depression in mothers at 6weeks postpartum was 57 (17.8%). The prevalence of depression in mothers at 6weeks was significantly higher than the incidence of depression in fathers at 6weeks (X-2=26.2, p<.001). There was no significant correlation between maternal PPD and paternal PPD. At baseline, prevalence of PPD among the unemployed fathers was higher than in the employed, 3 (21.4%) versus 7 (2.2%), this was significant (FE p<.01). There was no significant correlate of paternal PPD at 6weeks.Discussion: Postpartum mental health services should be extended to fathers of newborns especially those who are unemployed. Our findings have implications for family health.