Publication:

Risk factors of maternity blues after caesarean section in Yaoundé, Cameroon: a case-control analysis

Background Maternity blues is the most precocious and common mental derangement of the puerperium. Our objective was to identify its risk factors in women delivered by cesarean section.

Methods This was a case-control study carried out from January 10th to April 10th 2015 in two referral hospitals of Yaoundé, Cameroon, involving 321 women delivered by cesarean section, 107 of which presented maternity blues.

Results After multivariate analysis, independent risk factors for maternity blues after cesarean section were: low socio-economic level (OR=3.62; CI=1.35-9.70), personal history of depression (OR=4.36; CI=1.13-16.81), difficulties caring for the baby (OR=3.40; CI=1.12-10.27) and having felt depressed or anxious during pregnancy (OR=6.61; CI=3.05-14.31).

Conclusions Women with identifiable risk factors for maternity blues should be followed up closely after cesarean deliveries.