TITLE:
Psychosocial Risk Factors Associated with Antenatal Depression in Dakar: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Study
AUTHORS:
Momar Camara, Anissa Ben Anaya, Sokhna Seck, Maïmouna Dieye, Oumar Mamadou Samba, Rokhaya Gueye, El Hadji Makhtar Ba, Racky Wade Kane, Aïda Sylla
KEYWORDS:
Antenatal Depression, Psychosocial Risk Factors, Maternal Mental Health, Senegal
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Psychiatry,
Vol.15 No.5,
August
22,
2025
ABSTRACT: Background: Antenatal depression is a prevalent and under-recognised mental health condition that affects pregnant women, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This can have serious consequences for both maternal well-being and fetal development. Objective: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of antenatal depression and identify its psychosocial risk factors among pregnant women attending prenatal care at the Abass Ndao Hospital in Dakar, Senegal. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to August 2022, involving 100 pregnant women. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), while social support, anxiety, and intimate partner violence were measured using the MSPSS, PRAQ, and WAST tools respectively. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the independent predictors of antenatal depression. Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms (EPDS score ≥ 10) was 27%. Independent risk factors included low perceived social support (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 4.5), pregnancy-related anxiety (aOR = 1.15), intimate partner violence (aOR = 2.5), recent stressful life events (aOR = 3.2), previous psychiatric history (aOR = 5.15), and low socioeconomic status (aOR = 1.6). Conclusion: Antenatal depression is common in urban Senegalese settings and is strongly influenced by psychosocial stressors. Routine screening for emotional distress and social vulnerability during prenatal care should be integrated into maternal health services.