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Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
Published on: June 13, 2021
Barriers to care for antenatal depression
Robin Cook Kopelman1, Joy Moel, Carol Mertens
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. robin-cook@uiowa.edu
Psychiatric Services (Washington, D.C.)
|April 2, 2008
Summary
Financial and logistical barriers significantly hinder pregnant women
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Mental Health Services Research
- Health Disparities
Background:
- Antenatal depression affects maternal and infant well-being.
- Access to mental health treatment during pregnancy is often limited.
- Understanding barriers is crucial for improving care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify individual-level factors influencing pregnant women's access to mental health treatment for depression.
Main Methods:
- 1,416 pregnant women receiving prenatal care completed surveys.
- Measures included depressive symptomatology, willingness to seek treatment, and perceived barriers.
- Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores were used to identify women with possible depression.
Main Results:
- Women with possible depression (BDI ≥ 16) reported more barriers than those without.
- Key barriers included cost, lack of insurance, transportation issues, long waits, prior negative experiences, and lack of information.
- Lower income correlated with increased perception of cost and transportation barriers.
Conclusions:
- Addressing financial and logistical barriers is essential for improving antenatal depression treatment access.
- Policy and service changes are needed to overcome these obstacles.
- Non-financial barriers, such as lack of trust, also require attention.
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