Investigating the Psychosocial Dimension of Perinatality in Cameroon

Abstract

Introduction: It is well known that events occurring during the prenatal period may affect the outcome of perinatality. Although the psychopathological theories that give account of psychological conflicts of the perinatal period are well described, these may be aggravated by a number of psychosocial factors which may vary according to context. Methodology: We investigated some of these factors through a case-control study among Cameroonian women who manifested psychic impairments few days after delivery. The study was conducted in two university teaching hospitals of Yaoundé, over a period of six months. Results: We observed that a number of psychosocial factors can effectively impact the quality of the perinatal period with serious maternal and neonatal repercussions. These factors are related with class distinctions, unequal distribution of wealth, health inequalities, and the poor quality of social relationships. Conclusion: We may therefore conclude that preventing psychosocial risk factors through the reinforcement of the socioeconomic tissue and health systems may ease perinatality with favorable outcomes. Keywords: Perinatality; Psychosocial Factors; Maternity; Postpartum