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Beyond childbirth: a study on postnatal depression in primary healthcare settings in Benin
Joseph Giovanni Agbahoungba1, Elvyre Klikpo2, Lamidhi Salami3
1Institut régional de santé publique, département d'épidémiologie et de biostatistiques, Ouidah, commune de Ouidah, département de l'Atlantique, Bénin.
Introduction:
Postpartum depression is a disorder that disrupts maternal functioning and compromises infant well-being. This study determined the prevalence of postpartum depression and investigated associated factors among mothers attending health centers in Abomey.
Methods:
 This was a cross-sectional analytical study involving 440 mothers with infants aged three months or younger attending health centers in Abomey. Following random selection of health centers, all eligible mothers were surveyed using a questionnaire. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, with a cut-off score of 13, was used to screen for postpartum depression. Logistic regression modelling was used to explore associated factors. The strength of the association was assessed using odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals (CI).
Results:
The prevalence of postpartum depression was 17.05% (95% CI: 13.80%–20.87%). Factors associated with postpartum depression included marital status, low maternal decision-making power within the household, physical violence by a partner, unwanted pregnancy, and stigma or discrimination experienced during childbirth.
Conclusions:
There is evidence to suggest that mothers may suffer from depression after childbirth. These findings may guide future research aimed at better understanding this phenomenon, as well as initiatives to improve maternal mental health in Benin.