CHALLENGES FOR PRIMARY HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS IN CARING FOR WOMEN WITH POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION

Knowledge, attitude, and practices of healthcare providers about perinatal depression in Himachal Pradesh-A cross-sectional study

Introduction

Perinatal depression is defined as depression occurring in a woman during pregnancy or within 12 months of delivery. It has been associated with many poor outcomes, including maternal, child, and family unit challenges. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of obstetricians and primary healthcare professionals so that the knowledge gap could be assessed and they could be educated regarding the screening and treatment/referral of patients with peripartum depression.

Methods

The study used a cross-sectional study design with convenience sampling. The data were collected through an online survey among healthcare providers using the Google Forms application. Submission of filled questionnaire implied consent for participation. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the institutional ethics committee. The results were reported as mean and percentages. All data were analysed using Excel software 2019.

Results

A total of 53 doctors responded to participate in the study. More than 98% of them were aware of an entity called perinatal depression. Around 89% of the participants do not screen patients for the perinatal period routinely using a screening questionnaire. About 90% of participants agreed with the need for screening for perinatal depression. Less than 50% of participants had heard about the screening questionnaire for the same. Around 89% agreed that all health professionals should have skills in recognising and managing depression.

Conclusion

There is a need to educate healthcare workers including obstetricians about screening for perinatal depression, thus improving the quality of life of perinatal women and preventing complications due to untreated depression.

Sintomas depressivos na gestação e fatores associados: estudo longitudinal

Resumo Objetivo Identificar a frequência de sintomas depressivos no decorrer da gestação e verificar sua associação com variáveis sociodemográficas, obstétricas e de saúde. Métodos Estudo longitudinal realizado com 272 gestantes de 12 unidades de saúde do Município de São Paulo. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de um formulário para as variáveis independentes e da Escala de depressão pós-parto de Edimburgo aplicada nas 20ª, 28ª e 36ª semanas gestacionais. Utilizou-se modelo de equações de estimação generalizadas para avaliar os fatores associados e chances de risco. Resultados A frequência de sintomas depressivos foi de 27,2%, 21,7% e 25,4%. Maior escolaridade, gestação planejada e continuidade da gestação foram fatores de proteção. Sofrer ou ter sofrido violência psicológica foi fator de risco independente do período gestacional. Conclusão A frequência de sintomas depressivos na gestação foi elevada. Os fatores associados foram maior escolaridade, gestação planejada, continuidade da gestação e sofrer ou ter sofrido violência psicológica.