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Adverse Childhood Experiences and Changing Levels of Psychosocial Distress Scores across Pregnancy in Kenyan Women

Author

Listed:
  • Pauline Samia

    (Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi 0100, Kenya
    These authors contributed equally to the research.)

  • Shahirose Premji

    (School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
    These authors contributed equally to the research.)

  • Farideh Tavangar

    (School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
    These authors contributed equally to the research.)

  • Ilona S. Yim

    (Department of Psychological Science, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
    These authors contributed equally to the research.)

  • Sikolia Wanyonyi

    (Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi 00100, Kenya)

  • Mohamoud Merali

    (Department of Counselling & Clinical Psychology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi 00100, Kenya)

  • Wangira Musana

    (Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi 00100, Kenya)

  • Geoffrey Omuse

    (Department of Pathology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi 00100, Kenya)

  • Ntonghanwah Forcheh

    (School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada)

  • Aliyah Dosani

    (School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB T3E 6K6, Canada
    Cumming School of Medicine (Community Health Sciences), University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada)

  • Nicole Letourneau

    (Faculty of Nursing and Cumming School of Medicine (Pediatrics, Psychiatry & Community Health Sciences), University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada)

  • MIGHT Consortium

    (School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada)

Abstract

Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been associated with deleterious effects on mental health in pregnancy. Methods: The ACE International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) was used to measure neglect, abuse, and household dysfunction. Longitudinal mixed effect modelling was used to test the effect of ACEs on pregnancy-related anxiety, depressive symptoms, and perceived stress at two time points (12–19 and 22–29 weeks) during pregnancy. Results: A total of 215 women who were predominantly married (81%) and had attained tertiary education (96%) were enrolled. Total ACEs were significantly associated with depressive symptoms (r = 0.23, p < 0.05) and perceived stress (r = 0.18, p < 0.05). As depressive symptoms decreased, t (167) = −8.44, p < 0.001, perceived stress increased, t (167) = 4.60, p < 0.001, and pregnancy-related anxiety remained unchanged as pregnancy progressed. Contact sexual abuse ( p < 0.01) and parental death or divorce ( p = 0.01) were significantly associated with depression over time ( p < 0.01). Total ACEs in this study were associated with depressive symptoms early but not late in pregnancy. Conclusions: Higher total ACEs were positively associated with depressive symptoms and perceived stress during pregnancy, suggesting that mental disorders may have an impact on pregnancy outcomes and ought to be addressed. Further validation of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) tool in local settings is required.

Suggested Citation

  • Pauline Samia & Shahirose Premji & Farideh Tavangar & Ilona S. Yim & Sikolia Wanyonyi & Mohamoud Merali & Wangira Musana & Geoffrey Omuse & Ntonghanwah Forcheh & Aliyah Dosani & Nicole Letourneau & MI, 2020. "Adverse Childhood Experiences and Changing Levels of Psychosocial Distress Scores across Pregnancy in Kenyan Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-12, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:10:p:3401-:d:357594
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Shahirose Sadrudin Premji & Sharifa Lalani & Kiran Shaikh & Ayesha Mian & Ntonghanwah Forcheh & Aliyah Dosani & Nicole Letourneau & Ilona S. Yim & Shireen Shehzad Bhamani & MiGHT (Maternal-Infant Glob, 2020. "Comorbid Anxiety and Depression among Pregnant Pakistani Women: Higher Rates, Different Vulnerability Characteristics, and the Role of Perceived Stress," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-12, October.
    2. Sara N. Naicker & Marilyn N. Ahun & Sahba Besharati & Shane A. Norris & Massimiliano Orri & Linda M. Richter, 2022. "The Long-Term Health and Human Capital Consequences of Adverse Childhood Experiences in the Birth to Thirty Cohort: Single, Cumulative, and Clustered Adversity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-19, February.

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