The state of Antenatal Depression Among Pregnant Women in Ethiopia: An Umbrella Review
1
Midwifery, Dilla University, Dilla, Ethiopia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Antenatal depression, which can range from mild to severe, is strongly influenced by hormonal changes during pregnancy and the childbearing years, making it a pressing public health concern. Its consequences extend beyond the mother, affecting infants and children, and it remains particularly significant in low- and middle-income countries such as Ethiopia. Although several systematic reviews and meta-analyses have examined antenatal depression in Ethiopia, their findings have been inconsistent, and no comprehensive synthesis of existing reviews has been available.
OBJECTIVES:
This umbrella review was conducted to consolidate evidence on the prevalence of antenatal depression and its associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia.
METHODS:
Five systematic reviews and meta-analyses were included, identified through searches of PubMed, Web of Science, and other databases. Eligible reviews were published between January 1, 2010, and July 30, 2024. The search, conducted from August 5 to 15, 2024, was guided by CoCoPop questions. Study quality was assessed using the AMSTAR tool. Data extraction and analysis were performed with Microsoft Excel 2016 and STATA 16.0. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I² statistic and Cochran’s Q test. Pooled prevalence and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to determine effect sizes.
RESULTS:
The pooled prevalence of antenatal depression was 24.60% (95% CI: 22.46–26.73). Significant risk factors included unplanned pregnancy (POR=2.29; 95% CI: 1.75–2.82), poor social support (POR=2.10; 95% CI: 1.37–2.84), history of abortion (POR=2.49; 95% CI: 1.64–3.34), prior depression (POR=3.57; 95% CI: 2.43–4.71), and obstetric complications (POR=2.94; 95% CI: 1.61–4.28).
CONCLUSIONS:
Antenatal depression affects nearly one in four pregnant women in Ethiopia and is strongly associated with psychosocial and obstetric factors. Addressing this burden requires strengthening social support systems, expanding access to family planning, integrating routine mental health screening, and embedding mental health services within antenatal care.
Antenatal depression, which can range from mild to severe, is strongly influenced by hormonal changes during pregnancy and the childbearing years, making it a pressing public health concern. Its consequences extend beyond the mother, affecting infants and children, and it remains particularly significant in low- and middle-income countries such as Ethiopia. Although several systematic reviews and meta-analyses have examined antenatal depression in Ethiopia, their findings have been inconsistent, and no comprehensive synthesis of existing reviews has been available.
OBJECTIVES:
This umbrella review was conducted to consolidate evidence on the prevalence of antenatal depression and its associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia.
METHODS:
Five systematic reviews and meta-analyses were included, identified through searches of PubMed, Web of Science, and other databases. Eligible reviews were published between January 1, 2010, and July 30, 2024. The search, conducted from August 5 to 15, 2024, was guided by CoCoPop questions. Study quality was assessed using the AMSTAR tool. Data extraction and analysis were performed with Microsoft Excel 2016 and STATA 16.0. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I² statistic and Cochran’s Q test. Pooled prevalence and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to determine effect sizes.
RESULTS:
The pooled prevalence of antenatal depression was 24.60% (95% CI: 22.46–26.73). Significant risk factors included unplanned pregnancy (POR=2.29; 95% CI: 1.75–2.82), poor social support (POR=2.10; 95% CI: 1.37–2.84), history of abortion (POR=2.49; 95% CI: 1.64–3.34), prior depression (POR=3.57; 95% CI: 2.43–4.71), and obstetric complications (POR=2.94; 95% CI: 1.61–4.28).
CONCLUSIONS:
Antenatal depression affects nearly one in four pregnant women in Ethiopia and is strongly associated with psychosocial and obstetric factors. Addressing this burden requires strengthening social support systems, expanding access to family planning, integrating routine mental health screening, and embedding mental health services within antenatal care.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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