ABSTRACT
Background: Pregnancy is a necessity for the continuation of human life, as well as a hyper dynamic state, complicated by many factors, including physiological, hormonal, social, as well as psychological. This complex interplay of factors may impact mental well-being during pregnancy and the puerperium.
Objective: This study aims to assess knowledge, attitude, and factors affecting mental health status of pregnant women attending antenatal in Benin city, Edo state.
Materials and Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 pregnant women attending antenatal in Benin city, Edo State, Nigeria. The respondents completed a semi-structured self-administered questionnaire which adopted a standard instrument; GAD-7 and EDPS: The mean age of respondents studied were 31.30± 5.2 years. In relation to knowledge, 124 (25%) and 376 (75%) respondents had good and poor knowledge of mental health problems respectively. In relation to attitude, 368 (74%) and 132(26%) respondents had positive and negative attitude towards mental health problems respectively. In relation to mental health status, 413 (83%) and 87 (17%) respondents had intact and impaired mental health status respectively. In relation to factors, ethnicity (p<0.001), religion (p<0.001), skill level (p<0.001), and spouse skill level (p<0.021) were significant predictors of knowledge, ethnicity (p<0.001), religion (p=<0.001), skill level (p<0.001) and spouse skill level (p=0.021) were significant predictors of attitude. In relation to factors affecting mental health status, positive attitude group (p=0.001) gender based violence (p=<0.001), and previous history of abortions and (p=0.014) were significant factors affecting mental health status respectively.
Conclusion: About three quarter of pregnant women attending antenatal in Benin city had good knowledge about mental well-being in pregnancy. Over four-fifths of respondents were shown to have intact mental health status and the federal government should formulate and implement policies that mandate the incorporation of mental health assessments in routine antenatal care services.
