Review
Version 1
This version is not peer-reviewed
Screening for Postpartum Depression: Barriers, Guidelines, and Measurement Scales
Version 1
: Received: 5 August 2024 / Approved: 6 August 2024 / Online: 7 August 2024 (00:27:50 CEST)
How to cite: Kendall-Tackett, K. Screening for Postpartum Depression: Barriers, Guidelines, and Measurement Scales. Preprints 2024, 2024080463. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202408.0463.v1 Kendall-Tackett, K. Screening for Postpartum Depression: Barriers, Guidelines, and Measurement Scales. Preprints 2024, 2024080463. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202408.0463.v1
Abstract
Background: Screening for postpartum depression can lower prevalence and ensure that mothers get adequate treatment and support. Yet, few practitioners screen.The present article is a brief review on barriers to screening and two screening scales that are validated for perinatal women. Findings: Despite recommendations from health organizations, most new mothers are not screened for depression. Providers cite lack of time, opening “Pandora’s box,” and lack of resources for mothers who screen positive as reasons for why they do not screen. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Patient Health Questionnaires are brief screening scales that have been validated for new mothers and are widely available.Conclusions: Screening is the necessary first step to identifying new mothers who are depressed. Practitioners who screen need a clear plan, and to know how to access available community resources, so they will know what to do when a mother screens positive.
Keywords
postpartum; postnatal; depression; screening; Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale; Patient Health Questionnaire
Subject
Public Health and Healthcare, Public Health and Health Services
Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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