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Outcome of a postnatal depression screening programme using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale: a randomized
Shirley S L Leung1, Cynthia Leung, T H Lam
1Family Health Service, Department of Health, Room 1308, 13/F, Guardian House, 32 Oi Kwan Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong, China. shirley_sl_leung@dh.gov.hk
Journal of Public Health (Oxford, England)
|October 2, 2010
Summary
Postnatal depression (PND) screening using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) improved maternal mental health. This screening program, with follow-up care, demonstrated effectiveness in reducing PND morbidity.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal Mental Health
- Public Health Interventions
- Psychiatric Epidemiology
Background:
- Limited evidence exists on the effectiveness of postnatal depression (PND) screening programs in reducing morbidity.
- Evaluating PND screening programs is crucial for improving maternal mental health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a PND screening program utilizing the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) in enhancing maternal mental health.
- To assess the impact of systematic PND screening and follow-up care on maternal well-being.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 462 Chinese mothers with 2-month-old infants in Hong Kong.
- Intervention group: screened using EPDS; Control group: screened by clinical assessment.
- Both groups received protocol-based follow-up management if PND was identified.
Main Results:
- The intervention group showed significantly better maternal mental health outcomes at 6 months, as measured by EPDS scores (Risk Ratio: 0.59).
- The number needed to screen to achieve this benefit was 25.
- The EPDS screening tool proved effective in identifying mothers with PND who benefited from intervention.
Conclusions:
- A PND screening program incorporating the EPDS and follow-up care effectively improved maternal mental health at 6 months postpartum.
- The findings support the implementation of EPDS-based screening programs in maternal and child health centers.
- Systematic screening and timely intervention are key to reducing PND morbidity.
