From Awareness to Action: Information Sources and Postpartum Depression Help-seeking Behaviour in Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a major but under-reported maternal mental illness that is especially common in low-resource environments where there are few sources of credible information and professional assistance. This paper looks at the role of various sources of information in determining the knowledge of postpartum depression and the help-seeking behaviour of women in the Niger State in Nigeria. The data were collected with the help of Kobo Toolbox and analysed with SmartPLS-SEM using the cross-sectional survey design, as the data were collected among 382 women of childbearing age. The results indicate that interpersonal communication, particularly their interaction with healthcare workers, family members and friends, has the greatest impact on the PPD knowledge and help-seeking behaviour. A significant positive effect can also be seen in electronic media, especially in radio and television, but the impact of the print media is relatively lower. These trends are the social, cultural, and literacy facts of the context of study. The paper highlights the need to use culturally sensitive, multi-channel communication approaches, which emphasises on trusted interpersonal networks and available broadcast media. The findings, pointing out the influence of information pathways on maternal mental health choices, provide practical advice to public health communication and policy in the same low-resource context.