CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Introduction

The research methodology section is concerned with outlining the research design and method

for the study. It specifies the procedures for collecting and analyzing data to address the research

questions, test hypotheses, and indicate the population of the study, sample procedure, sources of

data to be collected, and procedures for data analysis.

3.1 Research Design

A cross-sectional research design was adopted because it allows for the collection of data at a

single point in time making it efficient for assessing the perceptions of family members towards

postpartum depression among residents in Sagamu, Ogun State. This design is cost effective,

time-saving and suitable foranalyzing patterns, associations and trends within the population

withoutrequiring long-term follow up.

3.2 Research Setting

The study was carried out in Sagamu, one of the twenty local government areas (LGA) in Ogun

State, Southwest Nigeria. It is an urban LGA with a few rural settlements. It is located within the

defunct Remo division, a part of the Ogun-East senatorial zone. It is bounded in the East by

Ikenne LGA, in the North by Remo-North LGA, in the West by Obafemi-Owode LGA, and in

the South by Ikorodu LGA of Lagos State. Sagamu LGA is divided into 15 geo-political wards,

with a diverse population, though mainly people of Yoruba extraction. It is home to several

industries, including manufacturing, fast-moving consumer goods, and the extractive industries.

3.3 Population of the study

within the past 6 months and resides in Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria.

3.4 Sample Size Determination

The Sample size was calculated using Kish-Leslie (1965) formula

N= Z2pq
e2
Where:

Z is found in the Z table. A 95% confidence level gives us Z values of 1.96

P is the estimated proportion of the population. Prevalence and predictors of postpartum

depression among postnatal women of in Lagos, Nigeria 36.5%= (0.365) (Adeyemo et al., 2020).

q is 1-p= (1-0.365) = 0.635

e is the desired level of precision (i.e., the margin of error). We assume we have 95% confidence

and 5% precision of error. The value of e is 0.05

N = Z2pq
e2
N = (1.96)2 (0.365) (0.635)
(0.05)2
N = (3.842) (0.2318)
0.0025
N = 0.8906
0.0025
N = 356.23
=356 respondents

NB. 10% needs to be added for attrition i.e., to take care of those respondents who withdrew or
those who do not completely feel their questionnaire.
Therefore 10% of 356 is 35.6 = 36
356+35.6= 391.6
Therefore, 392 respondents was used for this study
3.5 Sampling Technique

A multi-stage sampling technique (a composite sampling technique involving two or more

sampling techniques) was employed.

Stage 1: Selection of wards

There are fifteen wards in Sagamu Local Government Area. These wards include; Agbowa,

Aiyegbami/Ijokun, Ibido/Ituwa/Alara, Ijagba, Isokun/Oyebajo, Isote, Latawa, Ode-lemo,

Ogijo/Likosi, Oko/Epe/Itula I, Oko/Epe/Itula II, Sabo I, Sabo II, Simawa/Iwelepe and Surulere.

Three wards were selected through purposive sampling technique, and they are ward three

(Ayegbami), ward four (Sabo I) and ward five (Sabo II). The proportion of streets in the ward is

fairly equal.

Stage 2: Selection of streets

There are about 20 to 35 streets per wards. 10 streets were selected for each of the 3 wards by

simple random sampling technique making it a total of 30 streets.

Stage 3: Selection of houses

There is an average of 20 houses per street and 10 houses was selected by systematic random

sampling technique using a sample interval of 2. Sampling interval= 20/10 (average number of

houses per street/houses selected) =2.

Stage 4: Selection of household

Simple random sampling was used to select households within each ward. Each house was

studied with data collected from two households. At the level of each selected house,

questinnaires were distributed to households that included at least one nursing mother.
Inclusion criteria: All consenting residents of Sagamu Local Government Area above 18 years

of age and can read English or Yoruba and are permanent resident of the community.

Exclusion criteria: Non consenting residents less than 18 years of age. Adults who are not

permanent residents of the community.

3.6 Instrument for Data Collection

A total of 392 questionnaires was administered for data collection in this study using an

interviewer-administered questionnaire. The items in the questionnaire were adopted from

literature (Obioha et al., 2021) in line with the research objectives. Five sections were included

in the questionnaire. The questionnaire was prepared in English language and translated to

Yoruba, the main local language and was utilized so as to gain more understanding from the

respondents.

The five sections to evaluate the different variables:

Section A: The sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents such as age, gender, tribe,

religion and occupation. It consisted of six (6) questions aimed to describe the key features of the

target population for the study.

Section B: Level of perception among family members on postpartum depression in Sagamu,

Ogun State with 19 items that can be completed within 5 minutes ranging from whether Yes or

No options. Yes score = 1 point, No score = 0 point. The maximum point a respondent can have

is 19 while the minimum point is 0. Perception was categorized into High and Low. Scores for

each categories are: 0 – 9.5 = Low, and 9.51 - 19.0 = High.

Disagree options on a likert scale of 2 (No represents 1 point and Yes represents 0 point). The

maximum point a respondent can have is 7 while the minimum point is 0. The misconception

was categorized into low and high for each categories with a score of 0 – 3.5 and 3.6-7.0

respectively.

Section D: The attitudes of family members towards postpartum depression, including stigma,

support, and willingness to seek help and this consisted of 9 items having options ranging from

Strongly agreed to Strongly Disagreed using the likert scale. Strongly agree represents 1 point,

Agree represents 2 points, Disagree represents 3 points, and Strongly disagree represents 4

points. The maximum point a respondent can have is 36 while the minimum point is 1. The level

of attitude was categorized into negative and positive for each categories with a mean score of 0-

18 and 19-36 respectively.

Section E: The perceived impact of cultural beliefs and societal norms on the management of

postpartum depression within families in Sagamu, and this had 12 items ranging from whether

Yes or No options. Yes score = 1 point, No score = 0 point. The maximum point a respondent

can have is 12 while the minimum point is 0. The overall impact of cultural beliefs and societal

norms on PPD was categorized into low and high for each categories with a score of 0 – 6.0 and

6.1-12.0 respectively.

3.7 Psychometric Properties of the Instrument

Validity of the Instrument

The validity of the instrument was established by ensuring that the items under each section of

the questionnaire measure the intended constructs. This was determined through the face and
content validity criteria. Face validity was established by ensuring the questions measure what

they are supposed to measure by presenting it to my supervisor to determine the efficacy of the

questions. Content validity was established by modifying the questions based on my supervisor’s

expert advice and using relevant literatures in developing the questions.

Reliability of the Instrument

A pretest was conducted to assess the internal consistency of the instrument using 10% of the

projected sample size. The instrument was pretested in Aiyepe road using 36 questionnaires,

which was evaluated for internal consistency with Cronbach Alpha of >0.07

Table 3.1: Reliability Testfrom Pilot Study

Reliability Statistics Cronbach’s Alpha Number of Items Reliability

Result Interpretation

Section A: Perceptions of PPD 0.82 19 Good

Section B: Misconceptions 0.75 7 Acceptable

about PPD

Section C: Attitudes towards 0.78 9 Acceptable

PPD

Section D: Cultural beliefs & 0.80 12 Good

societal norms

Overall Reliability 0.79 47 Acceptable

subscale measuring knowledge of postpartum depression had a Cronbach’s Alpha of 0.82,

signifying good reliability, while the subscale on cultural beliefs and societal norms also

demonstrated good reliability with an alpha value of 0.80. The subscales assessing

misconceptions about postpartum depression (α = 0.75) and attitudes towards postpartum

depression (α = 0.78) fell within the acceptable range. These findings suggest that the

questionnaire items are internally consistent and reliable for assessing perceptions of postpartum

depression among family members in Sagamu Local Government Area.

3.8 Method of Data collection

Data was collected with the help of research assistants and participants were informed about the

benefits of the study that participation was voluntary. Informed consent was obtained from the

participants. The questionnaire formulated for the purpose of this study was distributed to the

respondents. Some explanations were made where necessary. The entire completed

questionnaires were gathered by the researcher for analysis. The process of data collection was

conducted in October, 2024 starting from the 7th of October to 21st of October, 2024.

3.9 Method of Data Analysis

The completed questionnaire was sorted out and examined for completeness. The researcher analyzed

the data collected using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentage and inferential

statistics. Chi-square tests was used for analysis, with results shown in tables and figures. Statistical

Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 was used. The results were presented in tables and

charts.

3.10 Ethical Consideration

Committee of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOUHREC). Participants were provided with an

informed consent form outlining the purpose of the study and requesting respondents' approval to

participate. The study's guiding ethical principles, informed consent, respect for individuals,

beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice was followed by the researcher. All of these actions were

taken to guarantee that respondents understood confidentiality and anonymity and that participation

was voluntary.

Anonymity: The study's participants' personal information was kept private by not disclosing it. It

was not necessary for the participants to write down their names, signatures, or any other kind of

personal identification.

Non-maleficence: Participants were not exposed to any harm or injury during the conduct of the

study because of the minimal risks associated with the study. When participants feel any harm in

form of stress, anxiety, or discomfort, they were free to withdraw from the study.

Voluntariness: Participating in this study was entirely voluntary and willingness to partake in the

study was required as none of the respondents was coerced to partake in the study.