International Journal of Scientific Reports

Postpartum depression: a scoping review of epidemiology, determinants, pathophysiological mechanisms and management

Giggy John — 2026-05-25

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common maternal mental health problem with significant consequences for mothers, infants, and families. Despite growing research, evidence remains fragmented across different domains, limiting a comprehensive understanding. This scoping review aimed to map and synthesize the existing literature on the epidemiology, determinants, pathophysiological mechanisms, and prevention and management strategies of postpartum depression. A scoping review was conducted following the framework proposed by Arksey and O’Malley and reported in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar was performed for studies published between 2000 and 2025. Studies addressing postpartum depression in terms of prevalence, risk factors, biological mechanisms, and interventions were included. Data were extracted and synthesized thematically. A total of 33 studies were included in the review. The global prevalence of postpartum depression was estimated at approximately 17%, with higher rates observed in low- and middle-income countries. Key determinants included antenatal depression, psychosocial stressors, lack of social support, and obstetric complications. Pathophysiological mechanisms involved hormonal withdrawal, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation, neurochemical alterations, and inflammatory processes. Prevention strategies focused on early screening, psychosocial interventions, and the management of modifiable risk factors. Management approaches included psychological therapies, pharmacological treatment, and emerging therapies such as neurosteroid-based interventions. Postpartum depression is a complex condition that needs integrated, multidisciplinary strategies for effective prevention and management. Enhancing early screening, increasing access to mental health services, and implementing tailored, context-specific interventions are crucial to lowering the global burden of postpartum depression.

Internally generated revenue and perceived performance of public healthcare institutions in Edo state, Nigeria: a cross-sectional analytical study

Dominic Ativie — 2026-05-25

Background: In Nigeria, sustained constraints in federal health funding have increased public hospitals' dependence on internally generated revenue (IGR). Despite its growing importance, evidence on the link between IGR and healthcare institutional performance at the subnational level remains limited. This study examined the association between IGR and the perceived performance of public healthcare institutions in Edo State, Nigeria.

Methods: A cross-sectional analytical design was employed. Data were collected from July to November 2025. Structured questionnaires were administered to 150 purposively selected administrative, financial, and clinical staff across four public hospitals in Edo State. A total of 120 valid responses were analysed. Reliability testing showed acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha≥0.76). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and simple linear regression in IBM SPSS version 26.

Results: Respondents reported high perceptions of IGR functionality and institutional performance. IGR showed a strong positive association with healthcare performance (r=0.742, p<0.001) and significantly predicted performance, explaining 55.1% of the variance. Major challenges identified included weak accountability, limited autonomy, and inadequate monitoring.

Conclusions: IGR is strongly associated with improved perceived performance of public healthcare institutions in Edo State, highlighting the need for stronger governance mechanisms.

Substance abuse and its associated factors among HIV/AIDS patients at Dessie Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northeast Ethiopia, 2025

Tesfalem T. Yemane — 2026-05-25

Background: Substance use refers to the consumption of psychoactive substances such as alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs. Substance use among individuals living with HIV AIDS is a significant public health issue. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that globally about 25- 90% of HIV AIDS patients engage in substance use. In Ethiopia, magnitude of HIV AIDS was 3.69% in 2022/2023. Therefore, this study was to identify the magnitude of substance use and associated factor among HIV/AIDS patients at Dessie Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November to December 2025, involving 422 participants selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected via structured face-to-face interviews and analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS). Logistic regression identified factors associated with substance use.

Result: this study showed that 20.8% of HIV-positive individuals reported substance use, with khat (64.2%) and alcohol (29.8%) being the most common substances. Males were four times more likely to use substances than females. Substance use history, peer substance use, and depression were significantly associated with increased substance use.

Conclusion: These findings emphasize the need for integrated care approaches that combine HIV treatment with substance use interventions. It recommends routine screening for substance use and mental health disorders, gender-sensitive and peer-based interventions, and policy changes to improve access to comprehensive care for individuals living with HIV.

Assessment of knowledge, attitudes and practices of ecopharmacology among Indian medical undergraduates in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Goa

Amog Bude — 2026-05-25

Background: Improper disposal of unused and expired medications from households poses significant environmental concerns due to Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). These persist in the environment and bioaccumulate, disrupting ecological balance through various mechanisms. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding ecopharmacology among MBBS students at Goa Medical College.

Methods: A total of 270 participants were surveyed using a semi-structured questionnaire covering demographic information and KAP related to ecopharmacology. The collected data was transcribed into spreadsheets and analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results: Results indicate a satisfactory level of awareness among students, with the majority acknowledging the environmental implications of improper medication disposal, including pollution and antibiotic resistance. However, a significant gap was observed in awareness of guidelines for proper disposal. Despite positive attitudes towards raising awareness and implementing regulatory guidelines, many students reported engaging in improper disposal practices, such as throwing medications in household trash without segregation or flushing them down sinks or toilets. Proposed strategies for improvement include the establishment of pharmacy take-back programs and designated bins for pharmaceutical waste with waste collection systems.

Conclusions: MBBS students at Goa Medical College have adequate knowledge and positive attitudes towards ecopharmacology; however, awareness of specific disposal guidelines is lacking. Integrating relevant content into the medical curriculum can help bridge this gap and promote eco-friendly healthcare practices among future physicians.