Slovenian midwives' and nurses' views on post-natal depression: an exploratory study

Post-natal depression affects approximately 10-15% of women. The literature suggests that midwives and nurses are key professionals in dealing with post-natal mood disorders. However, this would be a new role in Slovenia for which it is not clear whether midwives and nurses are prepared.

This study explored Slovenian midwives' and nurses' knowledge of, and attitudes towards, post-natal mood disorders.

Two focus groups were conducted, each with five participants, working in the maternity hospital and in the community centre in Postojna.

Data were grouped into three main themes--knowledge of post-natal mental health disorders, role in the management of these issues, and perceived problems and possible solutions in the health care of post-natally depressed women. Participants lacked knowledge on post-natal mental health and did not consider its management to be their role. They saw the main obstacle to caring for these women as being a lack of continuity of carer.

Slovenian midwives and nurses should be appropriately educated regarding this subject in order to become more capable of managing post-natal mental health. Continuous relationships with women should be encouraged.

Further investigation is required and a questionnaire survey involving a larger sample of midwives and community nurses is planned on the basis of the findings of this study.