In a groundbreaking study published in BMC Psychiatry, researchers have revealed an alarming lifetime prevalence of psychotic experiences among Senegalese women, shedding new light on mental health challenges in low- and middle-income countries. This comprehensive cross-sectional analysis exposes the often overlooked burden of psychotic symptoms—such as delusions and hallucinations—that not only signal higher risks for psychiatric disorders but also seriously impact quality of life.
Psychotic experiences, encompassing a spectrum of symptoms from auditory hallucinations to bizarre delusions, serve as a critical early-warning system for mental health deteriorations. Despite their significance, these phenomena are frequently underrecognized and undertreated in resource-limited settings like Senegal. The latest research aimed to bridge this knowledge gap by assessing the prevalence of these symptoms, their sociodemographic correlations, and their adverse psychosocial outcomes among over sixteen thousand Senegalese women.
Leveraging 2023 demographic and health survey data that included 16,521 women, the investigative team employed rigorous statistical methods, including chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression models using STATA 18 software, to pinpoint factors associated with the presentation of psychotic experiences. The analysis followed a backward stepwise approach in multivariable modeling, ensuring a robust identification of relevant predictors.
Strikingly, the findings reveal that approximately 41.3% of women surveyed reported having experienced psychotic symptoms at some point in their lives. This figure far exceeds prevalence rates historically documented in similar populations, signaling either a rise in psychotic experiences or improved reporting through large-scale health surveys. Referential delusions—where individuals believe that everyday occurrences refer directly to them—emerged as the most common symptom, affecting nearly one-quarter of participants.
Other notable symptoms included paranoid ideation, auditory hallucinations, and visual hallucinations, each manifesting at significant rates. The spectrum extended to more obscure experiences like possession and thought insertion, highlighting the diverse phenomenology of psychotic symptoms in this population. These findings underscore the complexity of psychotic experiences beyond classical schizophrenia, pointing to a broader public health challenge.
Age emerged as a consistent risk factor, with older women showing steadily increased odds of reporting psychotic experiences. This age gradient suggests cumulative exposure to environmental, social, and biological stressors. Conversely, higher educational levels and being currently in a marital or similar union were associated with reduced odds, indicating that social stability and empowerment through education may confer protective effects.
Socioeconomic status presented a paradoxical relationship; women within the richest wealth index exhibited more than double the odds of psychotic experiences compared to their less affluent counterparts. This counterintuitive finding may reflect heightened stressors or awareness levels among wealthier individuals, or differential access to media and health literacy. Indeed, media exposure itself was linked to a modest increase in odds, hinting at the complex role of information access on mental health perceptions.
Employment status also factored prominently, with currently employed women facing higher odds of psychotic experiences than unemployed peers. The demands and stresses of employment, especially in precarious or high-pressure settings, might elevate vulnerability to psychiatric symptoms. These findings emphasize the intersectionality of occupational and mental health domains, particularly in transitional economies.
Dietary influences emerged as significant lifestyle determinants. Consumption of fried and processed foods correlated with increased odds of psychotic experiences, as did intake of soda and energy drinks. These associations echo emerging research on the gut-brain axis and the impact of nutrition on mental well-being. They also suggest that dietary interventions may represent an accessible avenue for mental health promotion in Senegal and similar settings.
Notably, the study highlights the serious psychosocial ramifications accompanying psychotic experiences. Women reporting such symptoms exhibited dramatically elevated risks for suicide attempts—over tenfold compared to those without these experiences. Comorbid anxiety and depression were also significantly more prevalent, underscoring the urgent need for integrated mental health services capable of addressing these intertwined conditions.
The investigators conclude that nearly four out of ten women in Senegal have endured psychotic experiences during their lifetime, a staggering burden with profound implications. These experiences not only detract from quality of life but cascade into severe mental health crises if unaddressed. Their associations with age, education, employment, media exposure, and dietary patterns point to modifiable targets for intervention.
This research calls for a multipronged response integrating public health, educational reform, media regulation, labor policies, and nutrition programs geared toward mental health resilience. Enhancing educational access could fortify cognitive resources against psychotic vulnerability, while responsible media consumption campaigns may mitigate misinformation-related impacts. Employment practices that prioritize mental well-being and nutritional guidelines promoting healthier diets could also play preventive roles.
Moreover, the study underscores the necessity of augmenting mental health infrastructure in Senegal and similar contexts, including the expansion of screening for psychotic symptoms in primary care and community settings. Early identification and treatment could thwart progression to debilitating mental disorders and reduce suicidal behaviors.
In summary, the unveiling of such a high lifetime prevalence of psychotic experiences among Senegalese women challenges existing paradigms and amplifies calls for culturally sensitive, context-specific mental health strategies. As the world grapples with growing psychiatric disorders burden, this research exemplifies the critical importance of inclusive data and nuanced understanding from diverse populations.
Only through coordinated, evidence-based interventions addressing education, media influence, employment conditions, and nutrition can the tide of psychotic experiences—and their devastating sequelae—be stemmed in Senegal and beyond. This study paves the way for such informed action, illuminating a pressing public health frontier that demands immediate attention.
Subject of Research: Lifetime prevalence and associated factors of psychotic experience among Senegalese women
Article Title: Lifetime prevalence of psychotic experience, and its associated factors among Senegalese women: a cross-sectional study
Article References:
Okyere, J., Salu, S., Ayebeng, C. et al. Lifetime prevalence of psychotic experience, and its associated factors among Senegalese women: a cross-sectional study. BMC Psychiatry 25, 425 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06879-0
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