Understanding postpartum depression in adolescent mothers in Mashonaland Central and Bulawayo Provinces of Zimbabwe

This study has shown evidence of significant prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) among adolescent mothers (ADLM) (13.0%) than among adult mothers (ADM) (7.2%) (p < 0.001) in Mashonaland Central and Bulawayo provinces of Zimbabwe. The following were shown to significantly associate with PPD among ADLM: (p < 0.05): (i) abandonment by a partner, (ii) lack access to childhood needs, (iii) bad relationships within families, (iv) social insecurity, (v) prenatal depression (vi) unplanned pregnancies, (vii) lack of information about contraception, (viii) negative perception of teenage pregnancy, (ix) absence of both parents during childhood and (x) negative familial relationships during childhood [OR > 1, 95% CI; p < 0.05).