Citation

Kariuki SM, Newton CRJC. Lancet Psychiatry 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/S2215-0366(22)00197-3

PMID

35598605

Abstract

The prevalence of perinatal maternal depression in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) is estimated to be 17-30% higher than in high-income countries. There were relatively few African studies (eg, from Kenya) in these systematic reviews and there is considerable heterogeneity because of differences in sample sizes, study design, and assessment scales (often with no clear cross-cultural adaption of these scales). The predisposing factors for maternal depression, including childhood trauma, low socioeconomic status, and intimate partner violence and psychosocial stress during pregnancy, are more common in LMICs than in high-income countries. The psychosocial model proposed by Bronwyn Leigh and Jeannette Milgrom added personal resources (eg, low self-esteem and negative cognitive style) to the risk factors; but these are rarely explored in studies of perinatal maternal depression. Perinatal maternal depression affects not only the health of the mother, but also that of the child through their relationship and interaction (eg, breastfeeding and bonding). One of the key targets for UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 is universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, achievement of which can be accelerated through development of perinatal mental health policies and generation of empirical evidence to track progress and to inform planning of care.

Language: en