Prevalence and detection of postnatal depression in an Irish community sample

To establish the prevalence of postnatal depression using standardised methods of diagnosis and to evaluate early detection of postnatal depression.

Prospective cohort study. Prevalence established using two-step screening with EPDS and semi-structured clinical interview for ICD-10 diagnosis. EPDS recorded at day three-five postnatal evaluated as predictor of depression at week six postnatal.

Prevalence established at 14.4%. EPDS recorded at day three-five postnatal when combined with past history of depression was a predictor of depression occurring at week six postnatal.

We found a similar prevalence of postnatal depression in this Irish sample to other international prevalence studies. There are implications for hospital based screening to identify those at risk of developing a postnatal depression.