ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Commun.
Sec. Health Communication
Socio-Demographic Determinants of Help-Seeking Behaviour for Postpartum Depression Among Women in Yobe and Niger States, Nigeria
Provisionally accepted
Gloria Eneh Omale1,2*
Kehinde Opeyemi OYESOMI2*
Muyiwa Oladosun2Oladosun OMOJOLA2Folafunmi BAMIGBOLAYIN-AFOLABI52Afolayan G.A, ALUKO2- 1Federal University of Technology Minna, Minna, Nigeria
- 2Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria
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Background: In Northern Nigeria, postpartum depression (PPD) remains a largely unspoken crisis, constrained by cultural norms and socioeconomic inequalities that hinder women's access to care. Objective: This study examines how core demographic factors, age, income, education, and number of children influence women's help-seeking behaviour for PPD in Yobe and Niger States, Nigeria. Methods: A community-based survey was conducted involving 519 women of reproductive age. Data were analysed using SmartPLS structural equation modelling to evaluate the relationships between demographic factors and help-seeking behaviour. Findings: The results revealed that income was the strongest predictor (β = 0.463), followed by education (β = 0.301), age (β = 0.243), and the number of children (β = 0.171), collectively demonstrating a clear hierarchy of determinants shaping women's help-seeking behaviour. Conclusion: Women's decisions to seek mental health support are strongly determined by their socioeconomic and demographic realities. Recommendations: Integrated interventions combining economic empowerment, educational initiatives, and mental health literacy are essential. Policy Implications: The study advocates for subsidised maternal mental health services and the integration of psychological care into primary healthcare to ensure that support becomes accessible to all women, irrespective of income or status. Keywords: Postpartum Depression, Socio-Demographic Determinants, Help-Seeking Behaviour, Maternal Mental Health, Socio-Demographic Enabling Model (SDEM).
Keywords: postpartum depression, Socio-demographic determinants, Help-seeking behaviour, Maternal Mental Health, Socio-Demographic Enabling Model (SDEM)
Received: 17 Oct 2025; Accepted: 26 Nov 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Omale, OYESOMI, Oladosun, OMOJOLA, BAMIGBOLAYIN-AFOLABI5 and G.A, ALUKO. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
Gloria Eneh Omale
Kehinde Opeyemi OYESOMI
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