Engaging Stakeholders to Respond to Maternal Depression in Rural and Urban Northwestern Ecuador: An Applied Anthropological Approach

Depression among women of childbearing age is a major global public health issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where rates of mood and anxiety disorders may be even higher than in high-income countries. Poor maternal mental health impacts both mothers and children, contributing to behavioral issues, poor child growth, and increased child mortality. Research on maternal depression in LMICs often focuses on women of higher socioeconomic status in urban areas, leaving gaps in understanding the experiences of women in poverty or rural settings. This project aims to address these gaps by using Anthropological and Science and Technology (STS) approaches to map the complexity of maternal depression among women in northwestern Ecuador, particularly in the predominantly Afro-Ecuadorian province of Esmeraldas. Building on the EcoMID cohort study, the project will document communal, familial, and individual understandings of depression, as well as the perspectives of health professionals. By combining ethnographic data collection with community engagement, the project aims to generate contextual information that will inform the development of appropriate, community-based interventions and contribute to raising awareness around maternal mental health. This timely initiative is especially critical in light of the increased mental health challenges and shifting attitudes towards care-seeking brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, and aims to transform perceptions and provide impactful, culturally sensitive mental health interventions.