2nd Edition of the Public Health and Midwifery World Conference 2026

Abstract

Teenage mothers face an elevated risk of postpartum depression (PPD), often due to difficulties in adapting to motherhood and increased exposure to stressors. While motherhood is generally anticipated as a joyful experience, PPD can overshadow this period, described by some as "a thief that robs motherhood." Salutogenic approaches, which emphasise health promotion and resilience, have shown potential to support maternal mental well-being. However, there is a lack of rigorous randomised controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effectiveness of salutogenic childbirth education in preventing PPD among teenage mothers. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of salutogenic childbirth education in preventing postpartum depression (PPD) among teenage mothers over postpartum period. A single-blinded, multicentre RCT was conducted with 130 teenage mothers in Ethiopia from December 2024 to July 2025. The intervention group received comprehensive salutogenic childbirth education—including face-to-face sessions, phone follow-ups, and group discussions—from the third trimester through six weeks postpartum, in addition to standard maternity care. The control group received only routine care. Generalised Estimating Equations (GEE) were used to analyse group, time, and group-by-time interaction effects. Ethical approval was obtained from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Ref: HSEARS20240907003). The intervention group showed a significant reduction in EPDS scores at six weeks postpartum compared to controls (B = −3.50, 95% CI: −5.16, −1.85), with the effect sustained at 12 weeks (B = −2.84, 95% CI: −4.63, −1.02). At six weeks, 51.7% of intervention participants achieved a meaningful reduction in EPDS scores, compared with 25.5% in controls (p = 0.005). At 12 weeks, 43% in the intervention group maintained this benefit compared to controls (p = 0.036). Salutogenic childbirth education significantly reduces the risk of PPD among teenage mothers, with sustained benefits up to 12 weeks postpartum.