Prevalence of postpartum depression and its association with Diabetes mellitus among mothers in Mbarara, southwestern Uganda

BACKGROUND: Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a major health challenge with potentially devastating maternal and physical health outcomes. Development of diabetes mellitus has been hypothesized as one the potential adverse effects of PPD among mothers in the postpartum period but this association has not been adequately studied. This study aimed at determining prevalence of postpartum depression and its association with diabetes mellitus among mothers in Mbarara District, southwestern Uganda. METHODS: This was a facility based cross sectional study of 309 mothers between 6(th) week to 6(th) month after childbirth. Using proportionate stratified consecutive sampling, mothers were enrolled from postnatal clinics of two health facilities, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital and Bwizibwera Health center IV. PPD was diagnosed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI 7.0.2) for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5(th) Edition (DSM-5). Diabetes mellitus was diagnosed by measuring Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Logistic regression was used to determine the association of PPD and diabetes mellitus among mothers. RESULTS: The study established that PPD prevalence among mothers of 6(th) weeks to 6(th) months postpartum period in Mbarara was 40.5% (95% CI: 35.1–45.1%). A statistically significant association between postpartum depression and diabetes mellitus in mothers between 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum was established. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus among mothers with PPD was 28% compared to 13.6% among mothers without PPD Mothers with PPD had 3 times higher odds of being newly diagnosed with diabetes between 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum as compared to those without PPD during the same period (aOR=3.0, 95% CI: 1.62–5.74, p=0.001). CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Postpartum women within 6(th) weeks to 6(th) months have higher risks of developing diabetes mellitus. Research is needed to determine if targeted diabetes mellitus screening, prevention interventions and management will help reduce the burden.