Home Visits for Postpartum Depression Intervention among Low-Income Latinas: Results from the PST4PPD Project

Area of Science:

• Perinatal mental health
• Community health interventions
• Health disparities in maternal care

Background:

• U.S. Latinas face high postpartum depression (PPD) rates but low treatment utilization compared to non-Hispanic White mothers.
• Addressing PPD in underserved populations requires culturally sensitive and accessible interventions.
• Home-visiting programs delivered by community health workers (CHWs) show promise for improving maternal mental health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of a multi-site, home-visiting intervention (PST4PPD) for low-income Latina mothers.
• To assess the intervention's impact on depressive symptoms and self-efficacy among participants.
• To explore the potential of CHW-led programs in reducing PPD disparities.

Main Methods:

• A one-group, pre/posttest design was employed across five sites.
• Participants (n=76) were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), New General Self-Efficacy Scale, and Maternal Efficacy Questionnaire.
• Paired samples t-tests were used to analyze changes in depression and self-efficacy scores.

Main Results:

• A significant decrease in depression scores (EPDS and PHQ-9) was observed from pretest to posttest.
• Participants demonstrated significant increases in general self-efficacy, maternal self-efficacy, and knowledge about PPD.
• The intervention achieved a 76% completion rate, indicating good feasibility.

Conclusions:

• The home-visiting intervention (PST4PPD) is a feasible and effective approach for reducing PPD symptoms and enhancing self-efficacy in low-income Latina mothers.
• Interventions targeting modifiable factors like self-efficacy and stress management are crucial for addressing PPD disparities.
• Culturally adapted, CHW-delivered programs can improve maternal mental health outcomes in at-risk populations.