Postpartum depression (PPD) constitutes a major global public health issue, with an estimated prevalence ranging from 10% to 20% worldwide. However, this prevalence tends to be higher in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and Francophone nations, where rates have been reported between 15% and 25% [1] [2] . These figures reflect both socio-economic challenges and potential differences in healthcare access and social support systems.

Several well-established risk factors for PPD have been documented in diverse populations. Young maternal age is frequently identified as a significant predictor, often associated with limited social and financial resources, inadequate preparedness for motherhood, and increased vulnerability to stress [3] . Exposure to psychological and physical violence, including intimate partner violence, has also been strongly linked to higher PPD rates, as supported by systematic reviews and meta-analyses [4] . Conversely, the presence of robust social support, especially from partners and family networks, acts as a protective factor against postpartum mood disturbances [5] .

Screening for PPD in LMICs has been facilitated by the widespread use of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), a validated self-report questionnaire initially developed in Western settings but successfully adapted for African populations [6] [7] . Validation studies conducted in Nigeria, Uganda, and Senegal have confirmed the cultural sensitivity and specificity of the EPDS, making it a valuable tool for early detection in resource-constrained environments.

Despite this, research on PPD in Francophone West Africa, and particularly in Senegal, remains limited. Most existing studies focus on urban centers such as Dakar, with little exploration of peri-urban or rural settings where healthcare infrastructures and socio-cultural dynamics differ considerably. Such contexts may influence both the prevalence and expression of PPD symptoms, as well as access to and utilization of mental health services.

Furthermore, the distinction between urban and rural maternal mental health profiles is an area of growing interest, given the contrasting environmental stressors, social norms, and economic factors involved. Addressing these knowledge gaps is essential for tailoring effective screening, prevention, and intervention strategies appropriate to the diverse settings across Francophone Africa [8] .

This study, therefore, seeks to provide novel insights into the prevalence and risk factors of PPD in Thiès, a peri-urban city in Senegal, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of maternal mental health in this understudied region.

A total of 40 mothers meeting the inclusion criteria were recruited from the four health facilities in Thiès. The mean age of the participants was 27.15 ± 5.85 years, with a median age of 25 years and an interquartile range of 23 to 33 years. The age group most represented was 20 - 24 years (37.5%; n = 15) (see Figure 1 ).

Almost all mothers resided in urban or semi-urban areas. Regarding marital

status, 85% (n = 34) of the participants were married, and 47.5% (n = 19) were under a monogamous regime.

In terms of income, 60% (n = 24) of mothers had a low monthly income (<60,000 FCFA), while 32.5% (n = 12) of partners had a medium income between 60,000 and 100,000 FCFA.

Educationally, 35% of the mothers (n = 14) were uneducated, while the majority of the partners had primary (27.5%) or secondary education (25%).

The predominant religion was Islam, accounting for 95% of the participants (n = 38), with 5% identifying as Christians (see Table 1 ).

Evaluation of postpartum depression using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) revealed that 25% of mothers (n = 10) had a score equal to or greater than 10, suggesting probable postpartum depression (see Figure 2 ).

The analysis showed a significant negative correlation between age and EPDS score (coefficient = −0.377, p = 0.017), indicating that younger mothers were more likely to exhibit depressive symptoms (see Figure 3 ).

Regarding psychosocial factors, the experience of psychological or physical violence was significantly associated with an EPDS score ≥ 10 (p = 0.031). Among mothers who had experienced violence, 57.14% had a high score compared to 18.18% among others.

No significant association was found between postpartum depression and medical or surgical history, personal or family psychiatric history, number of pregnancies or abortions, mode of delivery, number of prenatal visits, occurrence of pregnancy complications, whether pregnancy or baby’s sex was desired, or support from partner or family.

The association between psychosocial factors and postpartum depression is summarized in Table 2 .

The prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) observed in this study (25%) is consistent with data reported in several sub-Saharan African countries, including

Senegal, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Cameroon [8] [14] . This similarity may be explained by the common use of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and comparable socioeconomic contexts.

This prevalence exceeds that reported in countries with higher human development indices, such as the United States and Canada [3] [15] . These differences may reflect socioeconomic and cultural factors, as well as larger sample sizes in those countries.

Younger maternal age was identified as an important risk factor, with increased vulnerability among mothers under 25 years of age, corroborating studies conducted in Uganda and Ethiopia [7] [16] .

Psychological and physical violence represents a significant risk factor, confirmed by international literature and the recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO) [3] [17] - [19] .

Social support, particularly from partners and family, is recognized as an essential protective factor [8] [20] . However, in our study, this effect did not reach significance in multivariate analysis, possibly due to the limited sample size.

Stressful events during pregnancy are often reported as risk factors, although they did not show a significant association here [7] [8] [21] .

This study has several limitations. First, recall bias may have affected the accuracy of self-reported data, especially concerning experiences of violence or stressful events during pregnancy. Second, the short recruitment period of 38 days, limited to mothers attending postnatal consultations and vaccination sessions, likely reduced the representativeness of the sample. Third, the lack of private spaces for administering the questionnaires may have influenced participants’ willingness to disclose sensitive information. Finally, no multivariate analysis was conducted due to the small sample size, limiting the ability to identify independent risk factors for postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression is a prevalent but underrecognised condition in Thiès. Key risk factors identified include the age of young mothers and exposure to psychological or physical violence.

Despite its serious consequences for mothers, children, and families, PPD is often undiagnosed, in part due to social perceptions that minimise or obscure symptoms. Early recognition and systematic screening are crucial for improving perinatal mental health outcomes.