Review estimates suicidal thoughts among pregnant and postpartum women in Ethiopia
The pooled estimate suggested suicidal thoughts were reported by a substantial share of women, but results varied markedly across studies. The estimate concerns thoughts, rather than suicide attempts or deaths.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The review estimated how common suicidal thoughts were among pregnant and postpartum women in Ethiopia and examined factors associated with them. Depression, anxiety, stress, partner violence, poor social support, and unplanned pregnancy were among the reported associations. Marked differences between studies make the pooled prevalence an uncertain summary, and these associations do not demonstrate causes.
The abstract does not report study counts, assessment methods, or the period over which suicidal thoughts were measured. It also leaves reference categories for the associated factors unclear.
What researchers found
Suicidal ideation during pregnancy or postpartum
95% confidence interval 7–22% among women in Ethiopia. No comparator applies to this prevalence estimate; the assessment or recall period is not reported, and studies differed markedly.
What was being counted
Suicidal ideation means thoughts about suicide. The review's prevalence estimate describes that endpoint among the included women; it does not measure how often attempts occurred or how many women died by suicide.
Why the estimate needs context
The studies produced markedly different results, so their pooled estimate should not be treated as a precise rate for every setting in Ethiopia. The reported associated factors also do not establish that changing them would change suicidal thoughts.
The original publication
Suicidal ideation and its associated factors among pregnant and post-partum women in Ethiopia, a systematic review and meta-analysis, 2025.
Yetwale A, Mulugeta C, Biyazin T et al.
BMC Psychiatry · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40598047
- Record checked
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