MENTAL HEALTH STATUS AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS AMONGWOMEN SEEKING MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES INKIAMBU COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Background: There is an increase in mental health conditions during pregnancy, leading to complications that increase maternal mortality and morbidity. Physiological changes during pregnancy often mask the early symptoms, leading to delayed treatment.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of poor maternal mental Health among antenatal women seeking maternal and child health services in Kiambu and Thika level 5 hospitals, in Kiambu County, Kenya.

Study design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.

Setting: Kiambu and Thika County Referral Hospitals maternal and child health clinics (MCH). Respondents: Stratified random sampling method was used to select 130 antenatal women in the Kiambu and Thika level 5 hospitals' MCH.

Results: The proportion of antenatal women with poor maternal mental health (MMH) was 34.6%, which was statistically significantly higher than the global estimates of 15.6% in low and medium-income Countries (LMIC) (Z=5.975, p<0.05). Respondents who experienced major life stressors were more likely to report poor MMH (51.1%) compared to those who did not (20%). Both crude and

adjusted analyses confirmed strong statistical significance (cOR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.50–3.69, p = 0.001; aOR = 4.17, 95% CI: 1.59–11.59, p = 0.004).

Conclusion: There is a high Prevalence of poor MMH among pregnant women. Recommendation: Integration of MMH management services in MCH by the Ministry of Health, Kenya.