Perinatal anxiety and depression screening and psychiatric care linkage in a regional Korean obstetric setting

Real-world data on perinatal mental health screening and psychiatric care linkage in regional obstetric populations are limited. This study evaluated screening positivity rates for anxiety and depression during pregnancy and the post-partum period and assessed psychiatric service utilization in a regional Korean obstetric setting.

Pregnant and postpartum women who visited an obstetric clinic between December 2021 and January 2023 were examined in this retrospective, single-center study. Anxiety and depression were evaluated using the Korean versions of the Beck Anxiety Inventory and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Screening assessments were categorized according to the gestational stage (first, second, and third trimesters) and postpartum period.

Of the 445 women included in this study, 235 underwent at least one screening assessment during pregnancy. Among them, 33.2% and 17.9% screened positive for anxiety and depression, respectively, at least once. All 445 women completed the postpartum screening, and 23.6% and 22.9% screened positive for anxiety and depression, respectively. In the exploratory multivariable analysis, neonatal birth weight <1.5 kg remained associated with positive postpartum EPDS screening results. Among the women referred for psychiatric evaluation, only 10.6% attended an initial psychiatric consultation.

Positive anxiety and depression screening results were identified during routine perinatal care, whereas psychiatric service utilization remained low. These findings highlight the gap between anxiety and depression screening and psychiatric care linkage, supporting the need for integrated perinatal mental health referral systems.