Postpartum Depression: Effects of Access to Information on Treatment Preferences in Spanish Population

There are a number of effective treatment options available to women with postpartum depression (PPD). However, women often do not receive information about such options to help them make an informed choice.

To determine the treatment preferences of women with PPD in Spain, to explore how exposure to evidence-based information influences these preferences, and to analyze whether these preferences are attended to by health professionals.

A quasi-experimental pre-post survey study was designed, using an online questionnaire including the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and questions on treatment preferences, depression history, and access to therapeutic information. The sample consisted of 1146 women aged 19-52 years who had given birth in the last year, selected by nonprobability sampling. They were randomly assigned to an experimental group (with access to evidence-based information on treatments for PPD) and a control group (no information). Most participants preferred psychotherapy.

Access to information did not change the preference for psychotherapy but increased the inclination toward antidepressants. The severity of PPD did not influence the choice of combined treatment. More than half of the diagnosed patients did not receive detailed information from the National Health Service (NHS), and their preferences were not taken into account.

The results suggest a need for improved primary care training, increased psychotherapeutic resources, and the development of digital tools to improve access to PPD treatment.