Perinatal mental health among forced migrant women:a scoping review of prevalence and associated factors

Objectives: To synthesise existing evidence on the prevalence of perinatal mental health disorders among forced migrant women and to identify factors influencing mental health outcomes in this population. Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the Arksey and O’Malley framework. Electronic databases and grey literature sources were searched for studies published in English between 1951 and August 2022. Studies were included if they examined perinatal mental health among forced migrant women and clearly distinguished forced from voluntary migration. Results: A total of 1105 records were identified, of which 16 studies met the inclusion criteria (12 quantitative, three qualitative, and one mixed-methods study). Two main themes emerged: the prevalence of perinatal mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, and factors influencing mental health outcomes, such as social support, exposure to traumatic events, and stigma. Conclusion: Forced migrant women experience a high burden of perinatal mental health difficulties. Improved clarity in migration definitions and consistency in outcome measurement may strengthen future research and support more effective responses to perinatal mental health needs in this population.