Author(s)

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

Service de psychiatrie, Centre Hospitalier National Universitaire de Fann, Dakar, Sénégal.

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.

Postpartum Depression, Prevalence, Associated Factors, Senegal

Seck, S. , Camara, M. , Kane, R. , Baldé, D. , Bâ, E. , Koundoul, A. , Bâ, I. , Ndiaye, I. , Faye, P. and Sylla, A. (2024) Prevalence and Associated Factors of Postpartum Depression: A Study Conducted in Health Centres in Dakar (Senegal). Open Journal of Psychiatry, 14, 45-66. doi: 10.4236/ojpsych.2024.141004.