Department of Midwifery, College of Health Science, Mattu University, Mattu, Ethiopia.
Department of Health Informatics, College of Health Science, Mattu University, Mattu, Ethiopia.
BMC Psychiatry. 2024 Oct 30;24(1):754. doi: 10.1186/s12888-024-06206-z.
Paternal postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant yet often neglected mental health issue affecting fathers during the postpartum period. While maternal postpartum depression is extensively studied, the psychological challenges faced by new fathers, particularly in resource-limited settings like Ethiopia, receive considerably less attention. Paternal postpartum depression not only impacts fathers' well-being but also affects the health and development of their children and their relationships with partners. Understanding the prevalence of paternal postpartum depression and its underlying causes in Ethiopia is essential for developing effective healthcare policies and tailored support programs for new fathers. The goal of this meta-analysis and systematic review is to compile the information currently available regarding the prevalence of and contributing factors to postpartum depression in Ethiopian fathers.
This study adhered to the PRISMA guidelines and focused on research from Ethiopia. A comprehensive search was performed across multiple databases, including Google, Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and Medline. Data were systematically collected using a structured checklist and analyzed with STATA version 11. To assess heterogeneity, the Cochrane Q test and I² statistic were applied. Publication bias was also checked using Egger's regression analysis, a funnel plot, and Begg's test.
Five studies with a total of 2,055 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of paternal postpartum depression in Ethiopia was 20.86% (95% CI: 16.43-25.29). Significant factors associated with paternal postpartum depression included low family income (OR = 3.04, 95% CI: 1.46-6.32), substance use (OR = 2.96, 95% CI: 1.63-5.37), poor social support (OR = 4.28, 95% CI: 2.53-7.23), unplanned pregnancy (OR = 3.42, 95% CI: 2.24-5.24), and infant sleep problems (OR = 4.78, 95% CI: 2.35-9.73). Heterogeneity was high (I² = 97.9%, P < 0.05). A subgroup analysis was conducted to better understand the variations among the primary studies.
The study reveals a significant prevalence of paternal postpartum depression in Ethiopia, highlighting key risk factors such as low family income, substance use, poor social support, unplanned pregnancies, and infant sleep difficulties. These findings emphasize the need for routine depression screening for fathers, improved social support programs, education on infant sleep management, and further research to develop targeted prevention and treatment strategies.
父亲产后抑郁症（PPD）是一个重要但往往被忽视的心理健康问题，影响着产后时期的父亲。虽然母亲产后抑郁症已得到广泛研究，但新父亲所面临的心理挑战，尤其是在资源有限的环境下，如埃塞俄比亚，却受到了较少关注。父亲产后抑郁症不仅影响父亲的健康，还影响孩子的健康和发展以及他们与伴侣的关系。了解埃塞俄比亚父亲产后抑郁症的患病率及其潜在原因，对于制定有效的医疗保健政策和为新父亲制定有针对性的支持计划至关重要。本荟萃分析和系统综述的目的是汇总目前关于埃塞俄比亚父亲产后抑郁症患病率及其促成因素的信息。
本研究遵循 PRISMA 指南，并专注于来自埃塞俄比亚的研究。在多个数据库（包括 Google、Google Scholar、PubMed、Web of Science 和 Medline）中进行了全面搜索。使用结构化清单系统地收集数据，并使用 STATA 版本 11 进行分析。为了评估异质性，使用 Cochrane Q 检验和 I² 统计量。还使用 Egger 回归分析、漏斗图和 Begg 检验检查发表偏倚。
共有五项研究纳入了 2055 名参与者的荟萃分析。埃塞俄比亚父亲产后抑郁症的总患病率为 20.86%（95%CI：16.43-25.29）。与父亲产后抑郁症相关的显著因素包括家庭收入低（OR=3.04，95%CI：1.46-6.32）、物质使用（OR=2.96，95%CI：1.63-5.37）、社会支持差（OR=4.28，95%CI：2.53-7.23）、意外怀孕（OR=3.42，95%CI：2.24-5.24）和婴儿睡眠问题（OR=4.78，95%CI：2.35-9.73）。异质性很高（I²=97.9%，P<0.05）。进行了亚组分析以更好地了解主要研究之间的差异。
该研究揭示了埃塞俄比亚父亲产后抑郁症的显著患病率，突出了关键的风险因素，如家庭收入低、物质使用、社会支持差、意外怀孕和婴儿睡眠困难。这些发现强调了需要对父亲进行常规抑郁症筛查、改善社会支持计划、进行婴儿睡眠管理教育以及进一步研究以制定有针对性的预防和治疗策略。
