Knowledge and Practice of Third Year Degree Nursing Students Regarding Postpartum Depression at a University: Windhoek, Namibia

Abstract

Winnie Rauha Moongo and Joseph Galukeni Kadhila

Postpartum depressions (PPD) are common, affecting at least 10% of mothers. PPD is a common illness, the global prevalence being 10–15%. The prevention, detection and treatment of postpartum depression (PPD) are of great importance because PPD without care may cause many problems. Postpartum depressions are serious because of their impact on mother-baby relationships and on the Childs’ Development. However, these depressions seem very insufficiently diagnosed and treated.

Methodology: In this study a quantitative descriptive research design was adopted. Descriptive research design is useful as it helps to obtain information that describes the existing phenomena by asking individuals about their perceptions, attitudes and values. The design reports things the way they are. In this regard, the descriptive research design was used to achieve the main objective of the study which is to assess the knowledge and practice of third year degree nursing students at a University, Windhoek Namibia, regarding postpartum depression.

Result: Participant have good knowledge on, knowledge and practice regarding postpartum depression. An analysis of student’s knowledge about whether physical stress can predispose a woman to PPD revealed that clearly more than half of participants (89.6%, n=60) agreed, while only 9.0% (n=6) of the participants chosen neutral and 1.5%(n=1) disagreed that physical stress can predisposes a woman to PPD.

Conclusion: Descriptive analysis was conducted to compare the knowledge of study participants on postpartum depression. In addition, it shows that only few students who’s disagreed that smoking can predispose woman to PPD. The study revealed that the majority of the participant agreed that physical stress can predispose a woman to PPD. Overall, the study results revealed that above average of the 3rd year nursing students has good knowledge on postpartum depression.

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