Intimate partner violence typology and major depressive disorder among postpartum adolescents in Central Uganda: a cross-sectional study.

Publication date: Jan 08, 2026

Depression affects 26. 9% of pregnant and postpartum mothers, while 39. 6% of women in Ugandan women experience intimate partner violence (IPV). Adolescents (10-18 years) are at higher risk for depression and its complications compared to other age groups. Our objective is to examine the association between IPV forms (typology) and major depressive disorder (MDD) among adolescents attending postnatal care (PNC) clinic in Kampala, Uganda. We conducted a health facility-based, cross-sectional study among 200 consenting adolescents below 19 years attending a non-profit postnatal care (PNC) clinic in Kampala, Uganda. Trained psychiatric clinical officers administered the 20-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale to assess depressive symptoms and conducted MINI-KID diagnostic interviews to confirm MDD. We examined three IPV typologies: physical, sexual, and emotional IPV. Using logistic regression, we tested the independent associations between IPV typologies and MDD, adjusting for potential confounders, and reported odds ratios (OR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Among 200 study participants, the mean age was 16. 1 years (SD = 3. 4), 6. 0% met criteria for MDD, 54. 0% experienced at least one IPV form, 45. 0% reported emotional IPV, 18. 0% reported sexual IPV, and 37. 5% reported physical IPV. After adjusting for potential confounders, participants who experienced emotional IPV had significantly higher odds of MDD (AOR = 9. 8, 95%CI 5. 6-14. 3, p = 0. 014) compared to those without emotional IPV exposure. Sexual IPV showed significantly higher odds of MDD (AOR = 8. 6, 95%CI 1. 1-13. 9, p = 0. 04) compared to no sexual IPV exposure. Emotional and sexual IPV were significantly associated with MDD among postpartum adolescents. Our findings highlight the need to strengthen routine IPV and mental health screening in PNC settings, with clear referral pathways to support and response services. Not applicable.

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