[Postpartum depression in Kinshasa (DR Congo): prevalence and risk factors]

To identify the frequency, risk factors, and clinical forms of postpartum depression (PPD) in Kinshasa.

In a cross-sectional study in well-baby clinics in Kinshasa in 2009, 120 mothers of 61 boys and 59 girls aged 1-10 months agreed to participate in the study. Their mean age was 28.4 ± 12.2 years. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the Goldberg Scales of Anxiety and Depression and the DSM-IV Criteria were used to detect PPD.

The numbers and percentage (95% CI) of women with PPD was 61/120, 50.8% (41.9-59.7) according to the Edinburgh scale and 53/120, 44.2% (35.3-3.1) according to the Goldberg scale. The DSM-IV criteria confirmed clinical forms with a frequency of 31/120, 25.8% (18.0-36.6); 22 (70.6%) of these had anxiety according to the Goldberg Scale (p<0.001). In the bivariate analysis, PPD defined by DSM IV was more common in mothers whose child was in poor health (11/25, 44.0% (p<0.002)), who were especially young (<20 years) 8/12, 66.7% (p = 0.044), who had felt no happiness on learning she was pregnant (23/74, 31.1% (p = 0.096)), who practiced non-exclusive breastfeeding the first 6 months (5/12, 41.7% (p>0.05)), or who belonged to an evangelical Protestant church (20/65, 30.8% (p>0.05)).

In this study, PPD was common, and anxiety the predominant clinical form. The risk factors reported indicated the role of psychosocial stress in PPD. PPD is a public health problem often overlooked in primary health care.