TITLE:
Prevalence of Postpartum Blues and Associated Factors in a Reference University Hospital in Benin
AUTHORS:
Afiavi Julienne Estelle Dossou, André Otti, Junior Alladogansi, Jérôme Charles Sossa
KEYWORDS:
Postpartum Blues, Prevalence, Contributing Factors, CHU-MEL, Benin
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.13 No.11,
November
26,
2025
ABSTRACT: Postpartum blues (PPB) is a common emotional disorder in women after childbirth, which can impact their well-being and that of the newborn. Few studies have explored its prevalence and associated factors in the Beninese context. The objective was to determine the prevalence of PPB and associated factors at the Lagune University Hospital for Mothers and Children (CHU-MEL) in Benin. A mixed descriptive design with analytical aims was adopted. Roy’s adaptation model served as the conceptual framework for the study. Data were collected in July 2025 from women who had given birth, selected by a non-probabilistic convenience method using the French version of the “Maternity Blues Questionnaire” by Kennerley and Gath, to which was associated a specific questionnaire composed of sociodemographic and obstetric variables. A woman was declared to have BPP when she answered at least 12 times to the 28 items of the questionnaire (threshold score set at 12). Factors associated with the occurrence of BPP were identified using Pearson’s Chi2 test or Fisher’s exact test (p