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The course of anxiety and depressive symptoms in Nigerian postpartum women

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Summary

Postnatal depression is mostly studied within the first 12 weeks postpartum and postnatal anxiety neglected. Using the Zung’s self rating anxiety and depression scales in a repeated cross sectional study of postpartum women we found both anxiety and depressive symptoms more in first 8-weeks postpartum with a gradual decline in later postpartum period. Anxiety is more common than depression in the first 4-weeks with reversal of the trend subsequently. Both symptoms may persist till late postpartum period.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mental Health, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa, Nigeria

    A. O. Adewuya

  2. Department of Community Health, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

    O. T. Afolabi

Authors
  1. A. O. Adewuya
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  2. O. T. Afolabi
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Adewuya, A., Afolabi, O. The course of anxiety and depressive symptoms in Nigerian postpartum women. Arch Womens Ment Health 8, 257–259 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-005-0089-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-005-0089-5

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