Common mental disorders and associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BMC Psychiatry. 2025 Apr 28;25(1):430. doi: 10.1186/s12888-025-06880-7.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Common mental disorders are the most common public health problems, especially in low and middle-income countries. The burden is high among pregnant women. However, the concern given to this problem is less and isn’t assessed during the antenatal period. In Ethiopia, there was no summarized evidence about the problem in this particular population. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the pooled magnitude of common mental disorders among pregnant mothers and their associated factors in Ethiopia.

METHODS: We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines to write this review and meta-analysis. Only primary studies published in English were included. The Egger’s test and funnel plot were done to assess the publication bias Heterogeneity was assessed by I² and subgroup analysis was conducted to identify the source. A random effect model was used to perform the analysis. An association was declared with a pooled adjusted odds ratio with 95% CI.

RESULT: A total of 11 studies were included and the pooled magnitude of common mental disorders was 27.00 [95% CI: 20.47, 33.53]. Unplanned pregnancy [pooled AOR: 2.82 with 95% CI (2.23, 3.58)], intimate partner violence [pooled AOR: 2.81 with 95% CI (2.29, 3.46), substance use [pooled AOR: 2.97 with 95% CI (2.29, 3.85)], chronic disease [pooled AOR: 3.60; 95% CI (2.19, 5.91)], obstetric complications [pooled AOR: 2.78 with 95% CI (1.89, 4.07)] and family history of psychiatric illness [pooled AOR: 4.03 with 95% (2.58, 6.30)] were significant predictors for common mental disorders.

CONCLUSION: In this meta-analysis, the pooled magnitude of common mental disorders was high as compared to the global report. Substance use, chronic disease, unplanned pregnancy, intimate partner violence, having a history of obstetric complications, and a family history of psychiatric illness were significantly associated with common mental disorders. The Federal Ministry of Health should design a strategy that helps to assess the mental health of pregnant women during their antenatal care follow-up. Moreover, healthcare providers should focus on and support pregnant women who have the above factors.

PMID:40296015 | DOI:10.1186/s12888-025-06880-7