Published in PLOS One on 2026-04-27, this study is presented as an attributed evidence briefing. The excerpts below are the original researchers’ words, reproduced under their Creative Commons Attribution licence. Health Signal has selected the abstract and, where needed, opening background paragraphs; the complete methods, results, limitations and references remain in the linked paper.
Original authors: Mogesie Necho, Maregu Shegaw, Tamirat Anbesaw, Nahom Birru, Getinet Ayano, Mekonnen Tsehay, Wondale Getnet, Solomon Yimer, Asmare Belete, Yosef Zenebe, Zelalem Birhan, Chalachew Tiruneh
Source: PLOS One • DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0347570
Read the complete primary study ↗ · Creative Commons Attribution licence
From the researchers
Abstract
Perinatal depression is a significant public health concern that affects women during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Despite being acknowledged globally, the burden of perinatal depression is particularly profound in low and middle-income countries, such as Ethiopia. This umbrella review is therefore intended to systematically consolidate findings on perinatal depression among Ethiopian women to better understand its prevalence, thereby highlighting the gaps in current research and informing future interventions.
This umbrella review used the PRIOR checklist for the reviews of systematic review and meta-analytic studies. The review protocol has been registered on PROSPERO: CRD42023495174. PubMed, EMBASE, and PsycINFO databases were searched for the presence of systematic review and meta-analysis studies. The quality of included articles has been evaluated with a measurement tool to assess systematic review and meta-analysis studies (AMSTAR). A novel graphic approach with an estimated corrected covered area (CCA) has been used to determine the degree of overlap of primary studies in the systematic review and meta-analysis studies. The weighted random effect model was used during the meta-analysis.
A total of 28 unique primary studies and 8 systematic reviews, and meta-analysis studies with 15,592 participants were included in this umbrella review. The pooled prevalence of perinatal depressive symptoms in the included systematic review and meta-analysis studies ranges from 20.1% to 25.8%. The pooled umbrella prevalence of perinatal depressive symptoms among women in Ethiopia was 22.49% (95 CI%:21.38, 23.59). The pooled umbrella analysis revealed that the antenatal and postnatal depressive symptoms were 22.76% (95% CI: 19.9, 25.62) and 21.75% (95% CI: 21.03, 22.48), respectively. In addition, the pooled prevalence of perinatal depression in studies that included 10 or below primary studies is 22.86% (95%CI:20.39, 25.33), and in those that included below 10 primary studies, it was 22.10% (95%CI: 21.55, 22.65). The novel graphic presentation depicted a very high degree of overlap of primary studies in the included systematic reviews and meta-analysis studies; corrected covered area (CCA) of 25.5%. Four of the included studies (fifty percent) had high methodological quality, and the remaining four relied on a moderate quality range.
The pooled overall, antenatal, and postnatal prevalence of depression symptoms was high in Ethiopia, with no significant difference during the antenatal and postnatal period. An improved understanding of perinatal depression will therefore guide policymakers and health practitioners in developing targeted strategies to alleviate this mental health challenge.
1. Introduction
Perinatal depression (PND) is a pressing public health issue in Ethiopia, with significant implications for maternal and child health [1–9]. PND, encompassing both antenatal (during pregnancy) and postpartum periods, significantly impacts maternal and offspring well-being [10–13]. National estimates illustrated that the prevalence of antenatal depression around the world was 20.7%, with variances among high-income countries (9%) and low-income countries (19%) [14,15]. Meta-analyses of maternal depression in high-income countries reported a prevalence of 11% during pregnancy and 13% in the postnatal period [16]. Another meta-analysis of maternal depression with data from 21 countries estimated a prevalence of 9.76% during pregnancy and 8.75% during the first postnatal year [17].
Reading this evidence
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© 2026 Mogesie Necho, Maregu Shegaw, Tamirat Anbesaw, Nahom Birru, Getinet Ayano, Mekonnen Tsehay, Wondale Getnet, Solomon Yimer, Asmare Belete, Yosef Zenebe, Zelalem Birhan, Chalachew Tiruneh. Excerpts reproduced under CC BY. Selection, formatting and contextual notes by Health Signal. The researchers are the authors of the source study, not members of Health Signal’s staff.
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