Maternal loneliness and associated factors among postnatal mothers in Boneya Boshe Woreda, Western Ethiopia, 2024: community-based cross-sectional study design.
11 affiliations
- 1Department of Midwifery, Institute of Health Sciences, Wallaga University, Nekemte, Ethiopia. [email protected].
- 2Department of Midwifery, College of Health Science, Mattu University, Mattu, Ethiopia.
- 3Department of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Madda Walabu University, Robe, Ethiopia.
- 4Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Health Sciences, Wallaga University, Nekemte, Ethiopia.
- 5Department of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia.
- 6Department Public Health Officer, School of Public Health, Wallaga University, Nekemte, Ethiopia.
- 7Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Science, Madda Walabu University, Robe, Ethiopia.
- 8Department of Midwifery, Institute of Health Sciences, Wallaga University, Nekemte, Ethiopia.
- 9Department of Nursing, College of Health Science, Mattu University, Mattu, Ethiopia.
- 10Department of Health Informatics, Asrat Woldeyes Health Science Campus, Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia.
- 11Department of Health Informatics, College of Health Science, Mattu University, Mattu, Ethiopia.
Abstract
Introduction
A person's subjective perception of the discrepancy between their expected and actual social engagement levels is known as loneliness. Less research has been conducted on it in low-income countries, although it affects the health of both mothers and infants.Objective
The study aimed to assess the prevalence of maternal loneliness and associated factors among postnatal mothers in Boneya Boshe Woreda, Western Ethiopia.Methods and study period
A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 1 to January 30, 2024. A simple random sampling method and a face-to-face interviewer-administered structured questionnaire were used to collect the data. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 26. Using the logistic regression model, bivariate and multivariable analyses were done to identify associated factors. The level of statistical significance was declared at 95% CI with a p-value < 0.05.Results
From a total of 614 selected postnatal mothers, 605 mothers participated in the study, with a response rate of 98.53%. The findings showed that the prevalence of maternal loneliness after childbirth was 36.86% (95% CI: 34.23, 38.12). Not having post-natal follow-up (AOR = 2.90; 95% CI: 1.24, 3.66), unplanned pregnancy (AOR = 2.97; 95% CI: 2.92, 4.45), husbands involvement in maternity and child health care (AOR = 3.93; 95% CI: 3.82, 5.60), intimate partner violence (AOR = 2.04; 95% CI: 1.64, 5.65), and husbands alcohol consumption (AOR = 4.12; 95% CI: 4.15, 7.10) were factors that significantly influence maternal loneliness.Conclusions
As it was identified by this study, the prevalence of maternal loneliness was a significant health problem. Therefore, based on the identified factors, the concerned body should pay attention to them to overcome the problem.
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BibTeX
@article{wedajo2026maternal,
title = {{Maternal loneliness and associated factors among postnatal mothers in Boneya Boshe Woreda, Western Ethiopia, 2024: community-based cross-sectional study design.}},
author = {Lema Fikadu Wedajo and Gemeda Wakgari Kitil and Sheleme Mengistu Teferi and Firomsa Bekele and Shula Shusho Kabsha and Bekam Dibaba Degefa and Bilisuma Fikadu Wedajo and Mohammedamin Hajure and Alemu Merga Hailu and Wubishet Gezimu and Addisalem Workie Demsash and Geleta Nenko Dube and Solomon Seyife Alemu},
journal = {BMC pregnancy and childbirth},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s12884-026-09412-7},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42958099},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Maternal loneliness and associated factors among postnatal mothers in Boneya Boshe Woreda, Western Ethiopia, 2024: community-based cross-sectional study design.
AU - Lema Fikadu Wedajo
AU - Gemeda Wakgari Kitil
AU - Sheleme Mengistu Teferi
AU - Firomsa Bekele
AU - Shula Shusho Kabsha
AU - Bekam Dibaba Degefa
AU - Bilisuma Fikadu Wedajo
AU - Mohammedamin Hajure
AU - Alemu Merga Hailu
AU - Wubishet Gezimu
AU - Addisalem Workie Demsash
AU - Geleta Nenko Dube
AU - Solomon Seyife Alemu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/04
JO - BMC pregnancy and childbirth
DO - 10.1186/s12884-026-09412-7
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42958099
AB - Introduction A person's subjective perception of the discrepancy between their expected and actual social engagement levels is known as loneliness. Less research has been conducted on it in low-income countries, although it affects the health of both mothers and infants.Objective The study aimed to assess the prevalence of maternal loneliness and associated factors among postnatal mothers in Boneya Boshe Woreda, Western Ethiopia.Methods and study period A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 1 to January 30, 2024. A simple random sampling method and a face-to-face interviewer-administered structured questionnaire were used to collect the data. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 26. Using the logistic regression model, bivariate and multivariable analyses were done to identify associated factors. The level of statistical significance was declared at 95% CI with a p-value < 0.05.Results From a total of 614 selected postnatal mothers, 605 mothers participated in the study, with a response rate of 98.53%. The findings showed that the prevalence of maternal loneliness after childbirth was 36.86% (95% CI: 34.23, 38.12). Not having post-natal follow-up (AOR = 2.90; 95% CI: 1.24, 3.66), unplanned pregnancy (AOR = 2.97; 95% CI: 2.92, 4.45), husbands involvement in maternity and child health care (AOR = 3.93; 95% CI: 3.82, 5.60), intimate partner violence (AOR = 2.04; 95% CI: 1.64, 5.65), and husbands alcohol consumption (AOR = 4.12; 95% CI: 4.15, 7.10) were factors that significantly influence maternal loneliness.Conclusions As it was identified by this study, the prevalence of maternal loneliness was a significant health problem. Therefore, based on the identified factors, the concerned body should pay attention to them to overcome the problem.
SN - 1471-2393
ER -