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Perinatal depressive disorder prevalence in Africa: A systematic review and Bayesian analysis

Francky Teddy Endomba1, Aude Laetitia Ndoadoumgue2, Clarence M Mbanga3

  • 1Health Economics & Policy Research and Evaluation for Development Results Group, Yaoundé, Cameroon; Psychiatry Internship Program, University of Bourgogne, 21000 Dijon, France.

General Hospital Psychiatry
|February 7, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Perinatal depression (PND) is highly prevalent in Africa, affecting 22.8% of pregnant women and 21.2% of postpartum women. Women with HIV or poor pregnancy outcomes face significantly higher PND rates.

Area of Science:

  • Global Health
  • Mental Health Research
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Perinatal depression (PND) poses a significant public health challenge in Africa.
  • Accurate prevalence data is crucial for developing targeted interventions.
  • Understanding PND burden is essential to curb its impact on maternal and child well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of major depressive disorder during the perinatal period across Africa.
  • To estimate PND prevalence among different clinical profiles, including pregnant and postpartum women.
  • To provide data for public health strategies aimed at reducing PND.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, Africa Index Medicus, and Africa Journal Online (2000-2020).
  • Inclusion of studies reporting perinatal major depressive disorder prevalence in Africa.
  • Prevalence estimation using Bayesian modeling.

Main Results:

  • Analysis of 154 studies encompassing 113,147 women.
  • Overall perinatal depression prevalence was 22.8% in pregnant women and 21.2% in postpartum women.
  • Higher prevalence observed in women with HIV (31.9% pregnant, 30.0% postpartum) and poor pregnancy outcomes (44.6% postpartum).

Conclusions:

  • Perinatal depression is highly prevalent in Africa, with significant variations across clinical groups.
  • HIV-infected women and those with poor pregnancy outcomes exhibit a higher burden of depression.
  • Urgent need for targeted attention and preventive interventions for these vulnerable subgroups.
Abstract

Keywords:
AfricaDepressionDepressive disorderPost-partumPregnancy

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