TITLE:
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Postpartum Depression: A Study Conducted in Health Centres in Dakar (Senegal)
AUTHORS:
Sokhna Seck, Momar Camara, Racky Wade Kane, Djeynaba Bassine Baldé, El Hadj Makhtar Bâ, Adama Koundoul, Idrissa Bâ, Ibrahima Ndiaye, Papa Lamine Faye, Aida Sylla
KEYWORDS:
Postpartum Depression, Prevalence, Associated Factors, Senegal
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Psychiatry,
Vol.14 No.1,
January
31,
2024
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Postpartum depression is the most common
psychiatric disorder affecting women in the perinatal period. According to the
WHO, it affects 10% - 15% of women who have just given birth. In Africa, and particularly in
Senegal, epidemiological studies focusing exclusively on postpartum depression
are rare or non-existent. For this reason, we conducted this screening study on
postpartum depression to assess the socio-demographic characteristics and
associated factors. Methods: This was a prospective cross- sectional study with descriptive and analytical
aims. It was carried out in the twelve Dakar referral health centres
during the period August 2021 to June 2022. Results: At the
end of our survey we had recruited one hundred and twenty-two (122)
participants with a PPD prevalence rate of 25.41%. The most common age group
was 24 - 29 years. 40% of the participants were of Fulani ethnicity, followed by
Wolof. Married women made up 93% of the sample. The school enrolment rate was
89%. Most participants were not in paid employment. Domestic violence was
present in 14% of couples. 28% of mothers reported experiencing a stressful
life event during their pregnancy. 22% of the women had a chronic medical
condition, of which 55% had high blood pressure. 1% of the women reported a
personal psychiatric history and 5% a family psychiatric history. Most women
had between two and four healthy living children. The pregnancy was unwanted in
17% of cases and 12% of participants had a complication. 6% were dissatisfied
with the quality of their antenatal care. The caesarean section rate was 18%.
In terms of associated factors, eight factors were identified in a bivariate
analysis: single marital status, lack of support from partner, domestic
violence, conflict with in-laws, and the occurrence of a stressful life event
during pregnancy, the presence of a personal medical history, lack of
satisfaction with pregnancy follow-up, and mode of delivery by caesarean
section. Conclusion: Our study showed the high prevalence of PPD
(25.41%) and identified associated risk factors. Among these factors, two were
strongly associated with postpartum depression: lack of satisfaction with
pregnancy care and experiencing a stressful life event during pregnancy.
Systematic screening or identification of risk factors during pregnancy is
necessary for comprehensive treatment based on a biopsychosocial approach.