National program for depression associated with childbirth: the Australian experience.

2006-12-18

Buist, Anne

Ellwood, David

Brooks, Janette

Milgrom, Jeannette

Hayes, Barbara A

Sved-Williams, Anne

Barnett, Bryanne

Karatas, Janan

Bilszta, Justin L C

Journal Article

0000-0002-4082-4595

10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2006.11.003

Routine screening was introduced as a joint research/public-health initiative across 43 health services in Australia, funded by beyondblue, the National Australian Depression Initiative. This program included assessing risk factors and prevalence of depression in perinatal women. Other objectives included increasing awareness of the condition, training of relevant staff, and assessing the feasibility of a screening program. Women were screened antenatally and postnatally with a demographic questionnaire and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. A subgroup of women and health professionals was surveyed. Over 40,000 women participated directly in the program. Data and issues for specific groups are presented. There was a high level of acceptability to women and health professionals involved. Screening is acceptable and feasible as part of the mental-health management of perinatal women. It needs to be supplemented with information for women and education and support for staff.

link

Best Practice & Research. Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology 2006; 21(2): 193-206

Best practice & research. Clinical obstetrics & gynaecology