Screening for the patient at risk for postpartum depression

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Psychiatry
• Public Health

Background:

• Postpartum emotional disorder (PED) affects a significant number of women.
• Early identification of at-risk individuals is crucial for effective intervention.
• Existing screening methods may lack practicality or accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and validate a simple, accurate, and practical device for detecting women at risk of developing postpartum emotional disorder (PED).

Main Methods:

• A 19-item "yes/no" questionnaire was administered to women attending a prenatal clinic.
• Patients were classified for the presence or absence of PED based on established criteria.
• Responses from patients with emotional disorders were compared to a control group.

Main Results:

• Thirteen percent of women developed postpartum emotional disorder.
• Six specific questionnaire items demonstrated predictive value for PED.
• Predictive factors included feeling unloved, undesired pregnancy, history of depression, single/separated status, marital problems, and unplanned pregnancy.

Conclusions:

• Integrating these six predictive items into routine prenatal history questionnaires can identify women at risk for PED.
• This approach facilitates the implementation of targeted preventive measures.
• The developed tool offers a practical method for early screening and intervention for postpartum emotional disorder.