While the nature, prevalence, and determinants of mental health conditions in women during pregnancy and in the year after birth have been heavily investigated and researched in high-income countries, the perinatal mental health of women living in LMICs is not as widely researched. The systematic review summarizes the nature, prevalence and determinants of CPMDs in women living in LMICs.
Key Findings
- In LMICs, about 1 in 6 pregnant women (as compared to 10% in high income countries), and about 1 in 5 women who have recently given birth (as compared to 13% in high income countries), experienced CPMDs.
- The prevalence of CPMDs is highest among the most socially and economically disadvantaged women, particularly those living in crowded households and rural areas.
- Gender-based violence, including emotional and physical abuse, was consistently found to increase the risk of CPMDs.
- The risk of CPMDs was lower among employed women with higher levels of education, women with access to sexual and reproductive health services, and those with supportive family relationships.
- In LMICs, maternal depression is associated with higher rates of malnutrition, stunting, diarrheal diseases, infectious diseases, hospital admissions, lower birth weight, and reduced completion of immunization schedules among infants.