Risk of psychological distress following severe obstetric complications in Benin: the role of economics, physical health and spousal abuse.

Journal: The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science

Volume: 196

Issue: 1

Year of Publication: 2010

Affiliated Institutions:  London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC HT, UK. edward.fottrell@epiph.umu.se

Abstract summary 

Little is known about the impact of life-threatening obstetric complications ('near miss') on women's mental health in low- and middle-income countries.To examine the relationships between near miss and postpartum psychological distress in the Republic of Benin.One-year prospective cohort using epidemiological and ethnographic techniques in a population of women delivering at health facilities.In total 694 women contributed to the study. Except when associated with perinatal death, near-miss events were not associated with greater risk of psychological distress in the 12 months postpartum compared with uncomplicated childbirth. Much of the direct effect of near miss with perinatal death on increased risk of psychological distress was shown to be mediated through wider consequences of traumatic childbirth.A live baby protects near-miss women from increased vulnerability by giving a positive element in their lives that helps them cope and reduces their risk of psychological distress. Near-miss women with perinatal death should be targeted early postpartum to prevent or treat the development of depressive symptoms.

Authors & Co-authors:  Fottrell Edward E Kanhonou Lydie L Goufodji Sourou S Béhague Dominique P DP Marshall Tom T Patel Vikram V Filippi Véronique V

Study Outcome 

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Statistics
Citations :  Filippi V, Ronsmans C, Campbell OMR, Graham WJ, Mills A, Borghi J, et al. Maternal health in poor countries: the broader context and call for action. Lancet 2006; 368: 1535–41.
Authors :  7
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1192/bjp.bp.108.062489
SSN : 1472-1465
Study Population
Women
Mesh Terms
Adolescent
Other Terms
Study Design
Study Approach
Country of Study
Benin
Publication Country
England