# Evaluating maternal depression among adolescent and adult women in Kenya

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2022 · $34,674

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
This F31 project aims to advance understanding of the manifestation and trajectory of maternal depression
among adolescent women (age 15-19) compared to adults throughout pregnancy and postpartum, and to
develop a risk score to identify pregnancies at high risk for adverse perinatal outcomes. Approximately 13% of
peripartum women worldwide report mental health issues, predominantly depression. Adolescence is a period
of substantial developmental and hormonal changes which add to physiologic and psychosocial changes in
pregnancy. Frequency of depression among adolescent pregnant and postpartum women is up to 30% higher
than their adult and non-pregnant counterparts. Perinatal depression among adolescents has not been rigorously
characterized in a large-scale, longitudinal study. Almost all adolescent pregnancies (95%) worldwide occur in
low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), yet few data exist on maternal depression among adolescents in
these settings. A recent systematic review found higher prevalence of maternal depression in LMICs (16% in
pregnancy, 20% in postpartum) than in high-income country settings (HICs). Several studies in HICs have linked
depression and adolescence to preterm birth and low birthweight, yet critical gaps remain in understanding
implications of maternal depression on perinatal outcomes within SSA where the burden of infant morbidity and
mortality is highest worldwide. The proposed F31 research project leverages data collected in an ongoing
randomized cluster trial (PrIMA Study, R01AI125498, MPI: John-Stewart/Baeten) among adolescent and adult
pregnant Kenyan women (≥15 years old) who are followed through 9-months postpartum. We are screening
>4000 Kenyan women (median age: 24 years, ~25% age <20 years) longitudinally via antenatal/postnatal care
(ANC/PNC) for depressive symptoms. In Aim 1, we will use data from initial ANC, 6 weeks PNC, and 9 months
PNC to longitudinally compare maternal depression among adolescent versus adult women, identifying
predictors, symptoms, and changes in prevalence and severity to inform future interventions. In Aim 2 we will
develop and validate an empiric risk score to predict adverse perinatal outcomes that incorporates depressive
score in pregnancy and other maternal factors (e.g., adolescent age). Results from Aim 2 will contribute a clinical
prediction tool to inform who may need intensified monitoring to avert adverse perinatal outcomes like preterm
birth and low birthweight. This large-scale study to longitudinally compare depression among adolescents and
adults from pregnancy through 9 months postpartum will contribute a novel clinical prediction tool using
depression score to predict perinatal outcomes. This research plan will provide the F31 candidate rigorous
predoctoral training including 1) quantitative analysis of longitudinal data, 2) experience developing and internally
validating a risk score, and 3) content-area expertise in maternal depression, an area critical...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10304116
- **Project number:** 5F31HD101149-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Anna M Larsen
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $34,674
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-12-16 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10304116

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10304116, Evaluating maternal depression among adolescent and adult women in Kenya (5F31HD101149-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-14 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10304116. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*