Prevalence and factors associated with post-partum depression in a rural area of Cameroon: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction post-partum depression is one of the many challenges associated with childbirth. In Cameroon, the focus is more on post-partum obstetric complications resulting in underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis of this condition. The current socio-political crisis plaguing the English-speaking part of Cameroon has increased the stressors that may inherently increase the prevalence. There is no published data describing post-partum depression in a rural setting in Cameroon. We seek to determine the prevalence and factors associated with PPD in women attending the Tubah District hospital, North West Region, Cameroon. Methods we conducted a cross-sectional hospital-based study at the Tubah District Hospital. A consecutive convenience sampling technique was used to recruit participants. Our main outcome was post-partum depression which was assessed using the Edinburgh Post-partum Depression Scale. Results a total of 207 post-partum women took part in this study with a mean age of 27.54 ± 5.78 years. The prevalence of depression was 31.8%. Gender-based violence (OR: 4.67, P = 0.013), financial stress (OR: 3.57, P = 0.002) and male baby (OR: 2.83, P < 0.001) were independent psychosocial factors associated with PPD. Independent psycho-clinical factors of post-partum depression include family history of mental health illness (OR: 4.34, P = 0.04) and previous history of depression (OR: 4.17, P = 0.02). Conclusion the prevalence of post-partum depression in women attending the Tubah District Hospital, Northwest Region, Cameroon is high. The factors associated with PPD are many. Identification of risk factors, early diagnosis and proper management can prevent PPD, disabling morbidity, and suicide in mothers.

Prevalence of Postpartum Depression, Link to Primiparity and Associated Factors Among First-Time Mothers in Georgia

“…12,21 Studies that were conducted in Delhi and adjacent states of northern India, Egypt, and Uganda showed that the prevalence was 15.8%, 21 17.9%, 22 and 16.3%, 23 respectively. Similar studies were done in Lebanon, Cameroon, and Nigeria, establishing that the prevalence was 21%, 24 23.4%, 25 and 23%, 26 respectively. However, numerous epidemiological studies have confirmed that PPD is becoming increasingly common than previously thought, and the prevalence varies significantly between nations.…”

A Prospective Study on the Incidence and Predictors of Postpartum Depression among Pregnant Women Attending an Antenatal Clinic in Kano, Northern Nigeria

“…Marriage in the African context makes a woman to be more acceptable and respectable and therefore having a baby the "legitimate way" boosts their self-esteem and gives them a perception of increased worth both within their homes and the wider society. Contrarily, maternal marital status was not significantly associated with PPD in an observational cross-sectional study in Cameroon [13]. Probably this is a reflection of difference in cultural values or study design.…”

“…However, in neighboring republic of Cameroon, a higher incidence rate of PPD was reported [13]. Though the Cameroonians had used a different study design and included women who were up to twelve month postpartum, there might be differences in interpretation of symptoms as well as cultural practices, either harmful or otherwise, between the two countries.…”