Prevalence and incidence of probable perinatal depression among women enrolled in Option B+ antenatal HIV care in Malawi

Antenatal depression and its predictors among HIV positive women in Sub-Saharan Africa; a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Antenatal depression in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive pregnant women can have significant adverse effects on both the mother and newborns, yet it is often overlooked in pregnancy care in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Despite this, there is limited data on the combined prevalence of antenatal depression and its predictors among HIV-positive women in the region.

Objective

To assess the pooled prevalence of antenatal depression and its associated factors among HIV-positive women in SSA.

Methods

All primary cross-sectional studies published before 1st January/2024, were included. We conducted searches in relevant databases; PubMed, HINARI, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Psychiatry Online, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. The Joanna Briggs Institute checklist was used to critically appraise the selected studies. To assess heterogeneity among the studies, we utilized the I2 test. Publication bias was evaluated using a funnel plot and Egger's test. The forest plot was used to present the combined proportion of antenatal depression and odds ratio, along with a 95% confidence interval.

Results

The pooled prevalence of antenatal depression among HIV-positive women in Sub-Saharan Africa was found to be 30.6% (95% CI, 19.8%-41.3%). Factors significantly associated with antenatal depression among HIV-positive women in SSA included being unmarried (AOR: 3.09, 95% CI: 1.57 - 6.07), having a previous history of depression (AOR: 2.97, 95% CI: 1.79 - 4.91), experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) (AOR: 2.11, 95% CI: 1.44 - 3.09), and experiencing stigma (AOR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.05 - 1.76).

Conclusion

High prevalence of antenatal depression among HIV-positive women in SSA underscores the need for prioritizing identification and management. Interventions addressing factors like IPV and stigma, along with training for healthcare providers in recognizing symptoms and providing support, are recommended.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42024508236.

Prevalence of early postpartum depression and associated risk factors among selected women in southern Malawi: a nested observational study

BACKGROUND

The birth of a child should be a time of celebration. However, for many women, childbirth represents a time of great vulnerability to becoming mentally unwell, a neglected maternal morbidity. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of early postpartum depression (PPD) and its associated risk factors among women giving birth at health facilities in southern Malawi. Identifying women vulnerable to PPD will help clinicians provide appropriately targeted interventions before discharge from the maternity ward.

METHOD

We conducted a nested cross-sectional study. Women were screened for early PPD using a locally validated Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) as they were discharged from the maternity ward. The prevalence of moderate or severe (EPDS ≥ 6) and severe (EPDS ≥ 9) PPD was determined, including 95% confidence intervals (CI). Data on maternal age, education and marital status, income source, religion, gravidity, and HIV status, among others, were collected during the second trimester of pregnancy, and obstetric and infant characteristics during childbirth were examined as potential risk factors for early PPD using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

Data contributed by 636 women were analysed. Of these women, 9.6% (95% CI; 7.4-12.1%) had moderate to severe early PPD using an EPDS cut-off of ≥ 6, and 3.3% (95% CI; 2.1-5.0%) had severe early PPD using an EPDS cut-off of ≥ 9. Multivariable analyses indicated that maternal anaemia at birth (aOR; 2.65, CI; 1.49-4.71, p-value; 0.001) was associated with increased risk for moderate and/or severe early PPD, while live birth outcome (aOR; 0.15, 95% CI; 0.04-0.54, p-value; 0.004), being single compared to divorced/widowed (aOR; 0.09, 95% CI; 0.02-0.55, p-value; 0.009), and lower education level (aOR; 0.36, 95% CI; 0.20-0.65, p-value; 0.001) were associated with decreased risk. Being HIV positive (aOR; 2.88, 95% CI; 1.08-7.67, p-value; 0.035) was associated with severe PPD only.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of early PPD was slightly lower in our selected sample compared to previous reports in Malawi and was associated with maternal anaemia at birth, non-live birth, being divorced/widowed and HIV-positive status. Therefore, health workers should screen for depressive symptoms in women who are at increased risk as they are discharged from the maternity ward for early identification and treatment.

Exploring the Relationship between Anemia and Postpartum Depression: Evidence from Malawi

PURPOSE

Study findings suggest association between anemia and postpartum depression, but available evidence is scant and inconsistent. We investigate whether anemia is related to postpartum depression among women who have recently given birth in Malawi, where anemia prevalence is high.

METHODS

We use cross-sectional data from 829 women who were 18-36 years old, married, lived in Lilongwe, Malawi, and gave birth between August 2017 and February 2019. The primary outcome is postpartum depression in the year after birth, defined by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Anemia status was assessed using hemoglobin levels that were measured at the time of the interview. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the relationship between postpartum depression and anemia status.

RESULTS

Our analysis sample consists of 565 women who completed the PHQ-9, tested for anemia, and had no missing values for covariates. Of these women, 37.5% had anemia (hemoglobin levels ≤ 110 g/L), and 2.7% were classified as showing symptoms of a major depressive disorder (MDD). After adjusting for potential confounders, anemia was significantly associated with increased risk of MDD (OR: 3.48, 95% CI: 1.15-10.57, p-value: 0.03). No significant associations were found between other covariates and postpartum depression.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest a potential association between anemia and postpartum depression among women in Malawi. Policies that aim to improve nutrition and health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women could generate a "double benefit" by both preventing anemia and reducing the risk of postpartum depression.

The feasibility and acceptability of a task-shifted intervention for perinatal depression among women living with HIV in Malawi: a qualitative analysis

BACKGROUND

Perinatal depression (PND) is prevalent and negatively impacts HIV care among women living with HIV (WLHIV), yet PND remains under-identified in Malawian WLHIV. Accordingly, this formative study explored perceptions of the feasibility and acceptability of an integrated, task-shifted approach to PND screening and treatment in maternity clinics.

METHODS

We completed consecutive PND screenings of HIV+ women attending pre- or post-natal appointments at 5 clinics in Lilongwe district, Malawi. We conducted in-depth interviews with the first 4-5 women presenting with PND per site (n = 24 total) from July to August 2018. PND classification was based on a score ≥ 10 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). We conducted 10 additional in-depth interviews with HIV and mental health providers at the 5 clinics.

RESULTS

Most participants endorsed the feasibility of integrated PND screening, as they believed that PND had potential for significant morbidity. Among providers, identified barriers to screening were negative staff attitudes toward additional work, inadequate staffing numbers and time constraints. Suggested solutions to barriers were health worker training, supervision, and a brief screening tool. Patient-centered counselling strategies were favored over medication by WLHIV as the acceptable treatment of choice, with providers supporting the role of medication to be restricted to severe depression. Providers identified nurses as the most suitable health workers to deliver task-shifted interventions and emphasized further training as a requirement to ensure successful task shifting.

CONCLUSION

Improving PND in a simple, task-shifted intervention is essential for supporting mental health among women with PND and HIV. Our results suggest that an effective PND intervention for this population should include a brief, streamlined PND screening questionnaire and individualized counselling for those who have PND, with supplemental support groups and depression medication readily available. These study results support the development of a PND intervention to address the gap in treatment of PND and HIV among WLHIV in Malawi.

Probable perinatal depression and social support among women enrolled in Malawi's Option B+ Program: A longitudinal analysis

BACKGROUND

Malawi's PMTCT Option B+ program has expanded the reach of ART services among pregnant and breastfeeding women, but retention in lifelong HIV care remains challenging. Given that depression can undermine retention, it is important to understand how depression changes over the perinatal period, varies across treatment and retention groups, and could be buffered by social support.

METHODS

Data are from an observational study conducted among women enrolled in Malawi's PMTCT Option B+ program. We used multilevel generalized linear models to estimate the odds of probable depression by time, treatment and retention group, and social support. Probable depression was assessed with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and Patient Health Questionnaire-9.

RESULTS

Of 468 women, 15% reported probable depression at antenatal enrollment and prevalence differed across newly diagnosed individuals, second line therapy users, and previous defaulters (18%, 21%, 5%, p = 0.001). Odds of probable perinatal depression decreased over time (OR per month: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.82-0.92) but were higher among those newly diagnosed (OR: 3.25, 95% CI: 1.59-6.65) and on second line therapy (OR: 3.39, 95% CI: 1.44-7.99) as compared to previous defaulters. Odds of probable postpartum depression were lower for participants with high social support (OR: 0.19, 95% CI: 0.09-0.39).

LIMITATIONS

Lack of diagnostic psychiatric evaluation precludes actual diagnosis of depression.

CONCLUSIONS

Probable depression varied across the perinatal period and across treatment and retention groups. Social support was protective for postpartum depression among all participants. Depression screening and provision of social support should be considered in PMTCT programs.

The prevalence and correlates of peripartum depression in different stages of pregnancy during COVID-19 pandemic in China

BACKGROUND

Peripartum depression in and after pregnancy are common, reported by 11.9% of women worldwide, and the proportion was even higher during the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of peripartum depression under the influence of COVID-19 in China.

METHODS

Using a cross-sectional design, 2026 pregnant and postpartum women residing in Beijing, Wuhan, and Lanzhou of China were recruited from February 28 to April 9, 2020. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was used to assess their depressive symptoms. The women were divided into four subgroups based on pregnancy stage, and a binary logistic regression analysis was conducted on each subgroup.

RESULTS

Under the influence of COVID-19, the prevalence rate of peripartum depression among Chinese women was 9.7%. It was 13.6, 10.8, 7.9 and 7.3% in the first, second, third trimester and puerperium, respectively. Regression analysis showed that the influence of current pregnancy status on movement (Mild vs. No, aORs were 3.89, P < 0.001, 2.92, P = 0.003, 1.58, P = 0.150 in the three trimesters, respectively; Severe vs. No, aORs were 13.00, 20.45, 5.38 in the three trimesters, respectively, all P < 0.05), and worries and fears about childbirth (aORs were 2.46, 2.96, 2.50 in the three trimesters, respectively, all P < 0.05) were associated with depression throughout pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence rate of peripartum depression during the COVID-19 outbreak in China was not higher than usual. The influence of current pregnancy status on movement, as well as worries and fears about childbirth were independent risk factors for peripartum depression throughout pregnancy during COVID-19. The stage of pregnancy should be considered when implementing interventions.

Global Systematic Review of Common Mental Health Disorders in Adults Living with HIV

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

By reviewing the most recent common mental health disorders (CMHD) studies in people living with HIV (PLWH) (2018-2020), this review discusses the prevalence of CMHD, factors associated with CMHD in PLWH, mental health in PLWH from vulnerable groups, the impact of CMHD on HIV disease progression and adherence to antiretroviral therapy and the efficacy of different treatment approaches.

RECENT FINDINGS

After screening for eligibility 142 studies were included in the final systematic review. Only 27% of studies were conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa, which carries the highest burn of HIV disease globally. Despite the well-established increased risk of CMHD in PLWH, the current prevalence remains high, with studies reporting 28%-62% of PLWH having mental health symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Despite the significant challenges that CMHDs present to successful HIV treatment, there are many mental health treatments and interventions which can improve outcomes in PLWH and opportunities to task-shift and integrate mental health care with HIV care.

Association Between Depression and HIV Care Engagement Outcomes Among Patients Newly Initiating ART in Lilongwe, Malawi

As in other sub-Saharan countries, the burden of depression is high among people living with HIV in Malawi. However, the association between depression at ART initiation and two critical outcomes-retention in HIV care and viral suppression-is not well understood. Prior to the launch of an integrated depression treatment program, adult patients were screened for depression at ART initiation at two clinics in Lilongwe, Malawi. We compared retention in HIV care and viral suppression at 6 months between patients with and without depression at ART initiation using tabular comparison and regression models. The prevalence of depression among this population of adults newly initiating ART was 27%. Those with depression had similar HIV care outcomes at 6 months to those without depression. Retention metrics were generally poor for those with and without depression. However, among those completing viral load testing, nearly all achieved viral suppression. Depression at ART initiation was not associated with either retention or viral suppression. Further investigation of the relationship between depression and HIV is needed to understand the ways depression impacts the different aspects of HIV care engagement.

Screening for perinatal depression with the Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale (PHQ-9): A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Perinatal depression (PND) is a prevalent and disabling problem both during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The legacy screening measure has been the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). This systematic review examines the validity of the PHQ-9 as a screener for PND.

METHODS

The following databases were searched from January 2001 (when the PHQ-9 was first published) through June 2020: MEDLINE, Embase, and PsychInfo. Studies that compared the PHQ-9 to a criterion standard psychiatric interview were used to determine the operating characteristics of sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve (AUC). Studies comparing the PHQ-9 to the EPDS and other depression scales evaluated convergent validity.

RESULTS

A total of 35 articles were eligible for criterion (n = 10) or convergent (n = 25) validity. Meta-analysis of the 7 criterion validity studies using the standard PHQ-9 cut point ≥10 showed a pooled sensitivity, specificity and AUC of 0.84, 0.81 and 0.89, respectively. Operating characteristics of the PHQ-9 and EPDS were nearly identical in head-to-head comparison studies. The median correlation between the PHQ-9 and EPDS was 0.59, and categorical agreement was moderate.

CONCLUSIONS

The PHQ-9 appears to be a viable option for perinatal depression screening with operating characteristics similar to the legacy EPDS.

The impact of an integrated depression and HIV treatment program on mental health and HIV care outcomes among people newly initiating antiretroviral therapy in Malawi

BACKGROUND

Depression is highly prevalent among patients newly starting antiretroviral treatment (ART) in Malawi and many other countries. Untreated depression at ART initiation can disrupt the HIV care continuum. Effective approaches for depression screening and treatment exist for low-resource settings, but they are rarely applied. Identifying effective implementation strategies are critical.

METHODS

A pilot program integrated depression screening and treatment into routine HIV care using existing staff at two public health clinics in Malawi in two phases; a screening-only "control" phase and an active "intervention" phase. During the intervention phase, providers prescribed antidepressants or referred patients for Friendship Bench problem-solving therapy. We evaluated the program's impact on retention in HIV care, viral suppression, and depression remission at 6 months using tabular comparisons and log-binomial models to estimate adjusted risk ratios and mean differences among the intervention group relative to the control group.

RESULTS

Nearly all consenting participants were screened for depression appropriately and 25% had mild to severe depressive symptoms. During the intervention phase, 86% of participants with mild depressive symptoms started Friendship Bench therapy and 96% of participants with moderate to severe depressive symptoms started antidepressants. Few participants in the intervention group received consistent depression treatment over their first 6 months in care. In the adjusted main analysis, program exposure did not demonstrably affect most HIV or mental health outcomes, though the probability of currently being on ART at 6 months was significantly lower among the intervention group than the control group [RR 0.6(95%CI: 0.4-0.9)].

CONCLUSIONS

While it is feasible to integrate depression screening and treatment initiation into ART initiation, providing ongoing depression treatment over time is challenging. Similar implementation science studies focused on maintaining depression management will be increasingly important as we strive to understand and test the best ways to implement evidence-based depression treatment within HIV care.

Continence, quality of life and depression following surgical repair of obstetric vesicovaginal fistula: a cohort study

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated residual incontinence, depression, and quality of life among Malawian women who had undergone vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) repair 12 or more months previously.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Fistula Care Centre in Lilongwe, Malawi.

POPULATION

Women who had undergone VVF repair in Lilongwe, Malawi at least 12 months prior to enrolment.

METHODS

Self-report of urinary leakage was used to evaluate for residual urinary incontinence; depression was evaluated with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9; quality of life was evaluated with the King's Health Questionnaire.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Prevalence and predictors of residual incontinence, quality of life scores, and prevalence of depression and suicidal ideation.

RESULTS

Fifty-six women (19.3%) reported residual urinary incontinence. In multivariable analyses, predictors of residual urinary incontinence included: pre-operative Goh type 3 [adjusted risk ratio (aRR) 2.82; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.61-5.27) or Goh type 4 1.08-2.78), positive postoperative cough stress test (aRR = 2.42; 95% CI 1.24-4.71) and the positive 1-hour postoperative pad test (aRR = 2.20; 95% CI 1.08-4.48). Women with Goh types 3 and 4 VVF reported lower quality of life scores. Depressive symptoms were reported in 3.5% of women; all reported residual urinary incontinence.

CONCLUSIONS

While the majority of women reported improved outcomes in the years following surgical VVF repair, those with residual urinary incontinence had a poorer quality of life. Services are needed to identify and treat this at-risk group.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Nearly one in five women reported residual urinary incontinence at follow up, 12 or months after vesicovaginal fistula repair.

HIV-status disclosure and depression in the context of unintended pregnancy among South African women

Depressive symptoms are common among pregnant women living with HIV, and an unintended pregnancy may heighten vulnerability. HIV-status disclosure is thought to improve psychological well-being, but few quantitative studies have explored the relationships among disclosure, pregnancy intention and depression. Using multivariable linear regression models, we examined the impact of disclosure on depressive symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale; EPDS) during pregnancy and postpartum among women who tested HIV-positive during the pregnancy in South Africa; and explored the role of pregnancy intention in this relationship. Among 350 women (median age: 27 years; 70% reporting that their current pregnancy was unintended), neither disclosure to a male partner nor disclosure to ≥1 family/community member had a consistent effect on depressive symptoms. However, pregnancy intention modified the association between disclosure to a male partner and depression during pregnancy: disclosure was associated with higher depression scores among women who reported that their current pregnancy was unintended but was associated with lower depression scores among women who reported that their pregnancy was intended. During the early postpartum period, disclosure to ≥1 family/community member was associated with higher depression scores. Counselling around disclosure in pregnancy should consider the heightened vulnerability that women face when experiencing an unintended pregnancy.