Browsing by Author "Stöckl, Heidi"

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    Adverse childhood experiences and intimate partner violence during pregnancy and their association to postpartum depression
    (Elsevier, 2018) Mahenge, Bathsheba; Stöckl, Heidi; Mizinduko, Mucho; Mazalale, Jacob; Jahn, Albrecht
    Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and intimate partner violence (IPV) are recognized global health problems. Both ACEs and IPV have been linked to adverse physical and mental health problems for both mothers and infants. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of physical and/or sexual ACEs and IPV and their association to symptoms of postpartum depression among postpartum women in sub-Saharan Africa. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in three health centers in the three districts of Dar es Salaam, comprising Ilala, Kinondoni and Temeke. A total of 500 women were interviewed by two trained midwife nurses during their routine postnatal care. The women were asked about their experiences of adverse childhood experiences, intimate partner violence and symptoms of postpartum depression. Of the 500 women who were interviewed, 39.4% (n = 197) reported to have experienced physical and/or sexual ACE and 18.8% (n = 94) experienced physical and/or sexual IPV during their index pregnancy. Physical ACE (AOR 2.6, 95% CI: 1.50–4.57), sexual ACE (AOR 2.7, 95% CI: 1.35–5.41), physical IPV (AOR 5.8, 95% CI: 2.98–11.43) and Sexual IPV (AOR 5.5, 95%CI: 2.51, 12.09) were significantly associated with symptoms of postpartum depression. Four out of ten women reported to have experienced ACEs and two out of ten women reported IPV in the index pregnancy which was significantly associated with symptoms of postpartum depression. These results are alarming and call upon the attention of health workers and the community at large in prevention, screening and early intervention of ACEs, IPV and symptoms of postpartum depression.
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    The prevalence of mental health morbidity and its associated factors among women attending a prenatal clinic in Tanzania
    (Wiley-Blackwell, 2015) Mahenge, Bathsheba; Stöckl, Heidi; Likindikoki, Samuel; Kaaya, Sylvia; Mbwambo, Jessie
    To establish the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among women attending prenatal care in Tanzania, and identify associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted of one in five physically well women attending a prenatal-care clinic in Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam, between December 2011 and April 2012. Trained research assistants carried out face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. The Hopkins Symptoms Checklist and the PTSD Diagnostic Scale were used to establish levels of depression and anxiety symptoms. Among the 1180 women interviewed, 905 (76.7%) had symptoms of anxiety, 923 (78.2%) had symptoms of depression, and 58 (4.9%) had moderate/severe PTSD symptoms. After adjustment for women’s sociodemographic characteristics, age of the woman and their partner, educational level of the woman and their partner, relationship duration, employment, and marital status were associated with symptoms of at least one of the three mental disorders (P < 0.05 for all). Many pregnant women had symptoms of mental health disorders. Screening of mental health disorders during prenatal care and training of healthcare providers are needed.
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    Understanding women’s help-seeking with intimate partner violence in Tanzania
    (SAGE Publishing, 2020) Mahenge, Bathsheba; Stöckl, Heidi
    Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious global health problem affecting millions of women worldwide. Despite increased investments into its reduction, little research has been conducted into how women in low- and middle-income countries deal with IPV. This study seeks to explore this by looking in depth into help-seeking strategies utilized by abused women in Tanzania, using the 2015–2016 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey. The prevalence of lifetime physical and/or sexual IPV was 41.6% in this study, but only half of all affected women sought help from anyone. The only clear association found with help-seeking was the severity of IPV.