Effect of educational- counseling program based on precede-proceed model during Pregnancy on postpartum depression

Area of Science:

• Maternal Health
• Psychiatry
• Public Health

Background:

• Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant concern affecting maternal well-being.
• Early intervention during pregnancy is crucial for preventing PPD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of an educational-counseling program based on the precede-proceed model in preventing postpartum depression.
• To assess the program's impact on predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling factors related to PPD.

Main Methods:

• A randomized clinical trial (RCT) involving 130 pregnant women.
• Participants were assigned to either an intervention group or a control group.
• Data collected using validated questionnaires (predisposing, reinforcing, enabling factors, GHQ, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) pre- and post-intervention.

Main Results:

• The educational intervention group showed a significant reduction in postpartum depression scores compared to the control group (p < .05).
• Predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling factors, along with general health, were significantly associated with reduced PPD (p < .05).
• The intervention demonstrated effectiveness in lowering PPD levels.

Conclusions:

• The educational-counseling program, implemented during pregnancy, is effective in preventing postpartum depression.
• Addressing predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling factors through education can mitigate PPD risk.
• This intervention offers a valuable strategy for improving maternal mental health outcomes.