Suicidal ideation and its associated factors among pregnant and post-partum women in Ethiopia, a systematic review and meta-analysis, 2025.

BACKGROUND

Suicidal ideation during pregnancy and postpartum has been linked to numerous adverse outcomes for both the mother and the child, including fetal growth restriction, premature labor, and respiratory distress. Despite, there is a notable lack of comprehensive national studies on the prevalence and modifiable risk factors for suicidal ideation among pregnant and postpartum women in Ethiopia. Hence this study aimed to determine the pooled prevalence and its associated factors of suicidal ideation among pregnant and post-partum women in Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the pooled prevalence and its associated factors of suicidal ideation among pregnant and post-partum women in Ethiopia.

DESIGN

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

DATA SOURCES AND METHODS

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) was followed and databases such as MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, Hinari, Google Scholar, and Web of Science were used to find the available studies. "R" software was used for the analysis and adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was used to identify associated factors. I statistics, funnel plot, was used to assess the studies' heterogeneity and publication bias.

RESULT

The pooled prevalence of suicidal ideation in this systematic review and meta-analysis was 14%( 95% CI; 7-22%); heterogeneity was found (I = 97%, p < 0.01). Marital status(AOR = 1.31; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.64), maternal depression(AOR = 1.70; 95% CI: 1.48, 1.95), anxiety(AOR = 1.66; 95% CI: 1.31, 2.10), perceived maternal stress(AOR = 1.62; 95% CI: 1.29, 2.05), intimate partner violence(AOR = 1.43; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.95), poor social support(AOR = 1.30; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.53), and unplanned pregnancy(AOR = 1.43; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.53) were significant variables with suicidal ideation.

CONCLUSIONS

The pooled prevalence of suicidal ideation in this systematic review and meta-analysis was high. Nearly, 1 in 7 pregnant and postpartum women in Ethiopia experience suicidal ideation. Marital status, maternal depression, anxiety and stress, intimate partner violence, poor social support, and unplanned pregnancy were significant variables with suicidal ideation. To address this issue, it is recommended to integrate routine mental health screenings into antenatal and postnatal care services, focusing on early detection of depression, anxiety, and psychosocial stressors. Strengthening community support systems is also crucial, particularly for women who are unmarried or experiencing social isolation. Additionally, increasing access to family planning services can help reduce the incidence of unplanned pregnancies, thereby potentially decreasing the risk of suicidal ideation among this vulnerable population.