TITLE:
Maternal Burnout: Prevalence and Associated Factors in Northern Benin (2023)
AUTHORS:
Ireti Nethania Elie Ataigba, Guy Gérard Aza Gnandji, David Sinet Koivogui, Owèrè Charlotte Dagan, Coovi Ignace Tokpanoude, Kwamé Abdias Adoufou, Anselme Djidonou, Francis Tognon Tchegnonsi, Prosper Gandaho
KEYWORDS:
Burnout, Maternal, Benin, 2023
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Psychiatry,
Vol.14 No.1,
January
31,
2024
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Also
known as maternal burnout syndrome, maternal burnout is a state of physical,
emotional and mental exhaustion generated by prolonged stress in the family
environment. It is experienced by women in their role as mothers. Those
affected can develop psychological disorders, sleep disturbances, etc., all of
which impair their day-to-day lives, and thus their maternal role. The repercussions
affect both the child and other family members. Objective: The aim of
the present study was to investigate maternal burnout among female users of
public and private health facilities in the commune of Parakou in 2023. Methods: Descriptive
cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2022 to July 2023 among all
mothers using public and private health facilities in the commune of Parakou.
All healthy mothers with at least one biological or adoptive child fully
dependent on them and living at home, who came for a consultation in one of the
health facilities or for an appointment at the Expanded Program on Immunization
(EPI) and gave their free and informed consent. Sampling was done for
non-exhaustive convenience were included in the study. Burnout was assessed
using the Parental Burnout Assessment (PBA) scale. Results: A total
of 888 mothers meeting the inclusion criteria were surveyed. The prevalence of
burnout calculated using the Parental Burnout Assessment (PBA) scale was 6.19%.
The risk factors for maternal burnout were poor relationships with family and
friends (OR = 8.90; p = 0.045), moderate (OR = 11.71; p = 0.020) and severe
depression (OR = 40.85; p = 0.001), followed by the presence of repeated
nocturnal awakening (OR = 5.14; p = 0.014). Conclusion: This is
a subject that is almost never discussed in African society, but whose reality
is revealed by the present study, which provided statistical data on maternal
burnout. From now on, the risk of burnout will no longer be discussed solely in the family
context. It will also need to be explored within the family unit to prevent its
deleterious consequences for children and adults alike.