scholarly journals What stakeholders think: perceptions of perinatal depression and screening in China’s primary care system

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahirose Sadrudin Premji ◽  
Keith S. Dobson ◽  
Anupa Prashad ◽  
Shelby Yamamoto ◽  
Fangbiao Tao ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Mental health in China is a significant issue, and perinatal depression has been recognized as a concern, as it may affect pregnancy outcomes. There are growing calls to address China’s mental health system capacity issues, especially among vulnerable groups such as pregnant women due to gaps in healthcare services and inadequate access to resources and support. In response to these demands, a perinatal depression screening and management (PDSM) program was proposed. This exploratory case study identified strategies for successful implementation of the proposed PDSM intervention, informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) framework, in Ma’anshan city, Anhui province. Methods This qualitative study included four focus group discussions and two in-depth individual interviews with participants using a semi-structured interview guide. Topics examined included acceptance, utility, and readiness for a PDSM program. Participants included perinatal women and their families, policymakers, and healthcare providers. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed for emergent themes. Results The analysis revealed several promising factors for the implementation of the PDSM program including: utilization of an internet-based platform, generation of perceived value among health leadership and decision-makers, and the simplification of the screening and intervention components. Acceptance of the pre-implementation plan was dependent on issues such as the timing and frequency of screening, ensuring high standards of quality of care, and consideration of cultural values in the intervention design. Potential challenges included perceived barriers to the implementation plan among stakeholders, a lack of trained human health resources, and poor integration between maternal and mental health services. In addition, participants expressed concern that perinatal women might not value the PDSM program due to stigma and limited understanding of maternal mental health issues. Conclusion Our analysis suggests several factors to support the successful implementation of a perinatal depression screening program, guidelines for successful uptake, and the potential use of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy. PDSM is a complex process; however, it can be successfully navigated with evidence-informed approaches to the issues presented to ensure that the PDSM is feasible, effective, successful, and sustainable, and that it also improves maternal health and wellbeing, and that of their families.

2020 ◽  
pp. 002076402095211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingfei Zhang ◽  
Zheng Feei Ma

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a profound impact on health and well-being of populations. However, there are limited studies that have investigated the psychological aspects of vulnerable groups including pregnant women amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, we aimed to assess the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among Chinese pregnant women from February 2020 until March 2020. Methods: Our study was conducted using a modified validated online questionnaire comprising of sociodemographic, the Impact of Event Scale (IES), attitude and mental health-related questions towards COVID-19. Results: A total of 560 women were included. The overall mean age and IES of women was 25.8 ± 2.7 years and 31.4 ± 13.7. Moreover, 67.1% of them had IES ⩾26. Psychological impact seemed to be more severe in women in second trimester of pregnancy (the highest IES) ( p = .016). There was a significant association between trimesters of pregnancy and some indicators of negative health impacts (including increased stress from work, increased stress from home, feeling apprehensive and helpless during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic) (all p < .05). Conclusions: Our results reported moderate-to-severe stressful impact among Chinese pregnant women. We recommend that appropriate measures should be taken to address the maternal mental health issues.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanual Getnet Mersha ◽  
Sileshi Ayele Abebe ◽  
Lamessa Melese Sori ◽  
Tadesse Melaku Abegaz

Background. There is no pooled evidence regarding the prevalence and potential associated factors of perinatal depression in Ethiopian community. Hence, the current review aimed to examine the prevalence and associated factors of perinatal depression in Ethiopia. Method. A computerized systematic literature search was made in MEDLINE, Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Each database was searched from its start date to January 2018. All included articles were published in English, which evaluated prevalence and associated factors of perinatal depression in Ethiopia. Pooled estimations with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated with DerSimonian-Laird (DL) random-effects model. Publication bias was evaluated by using inspection of funnel plots and statistical tests. Result. Eight observational studies with an overall sample size of 4624 mothers were included in the review. The pooled prevalence of perinatal depression from these studies reported that the prevalence of perinatal depression in Ethiopia is 25.8% [95% CI, 24.6%-27.1%]. A pervious history of depression [RR: 3.78 (95% CI, 2.18-6.57), I2 = 41.6%], poor socioeconomic status [RR: 4.67 (95% CI, 2.89-7.53), I2 = 0%], not living with spouse [RR: 3.76 (95% CI, 1.96-7.38), I2 = 36.4%], having obstetric complications in previous and/or this pregnancy [RR: 2.74 (95% CI, 1.48-5.06), I2 = 67.7%], and having unplanned pregnancy [RR: 2.73 (95% CI, 2.11-3.53), I2 = 0%] were the major factors associated with perinatal depression. Conclusion. The pooled prevalence of perinatal depression in Ethiopia is far above most developed as well as developing countries. Hence, to realize the sustainable development goals (SDGs) outlined by united nation, much attention should be given to improve maternal mental health through reduction of identified modifiable factors. Maternal health programs, polices, and activities should incorporate maternal mental health as a core component.


Author(s):  
Myrthe G. B. M. Boekhorst ◽  
Lotte Muskens ◽  
Lianne P. Hulsbosch ◽  
Katrijn Van Deun ◽  
Veerle Bergink ◽  
...  

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic affects society and may especially have an impact on mental health of vulnerable groups, such as perinatal women. This prospective cohort study of 669 participating women in the Netherlands compared perinatal symptoms of depression and stress during and before the pandemic. After a pilot in 2018, recruitment started on 7 January 2019. Up until 1 March 2020 (before the pandemic), 401 women completed questionnaires during pregnancy, of whom 250 also completed postpartum assessment. During the pandemic, 268 women filled out at least one questionnaire during pregnancy and 59 postpartum (1 March–14 May 2020). Pregnancy-specific stress increased significantly in women during the pandemic. We found no increase in depressive symptoms during pregnancy nor an increase in incidence of high levels of postpartum depressive symptoms during the pandemic. Clinicians should be aware of the potential for increased stress in pregnant women during the pandemic.


2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 459-467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anastasia Zissi ◽  
George Stalidis

Background: This study draws on old and well-established evidence that economic change, and especially recession, affects people’s lives, behavior and mental health. Even though the literature is rich on the relationship between unemployment and mental distress, there is a renewed research interest on the link between socio-economic inequalities and psychological health. Aims: The study investigates the relationship of social class with mental distress during the hard times of persistent and severe economic crisis in Greece by conducting a comparative, community study in the country’s second largest city, Thessaloniki. Method: A face-to-face structured interview covering living conditions, life events, chronic stressors and coping strategies was employed to 300 residents of socio-economically contrasting neighborhood areas. Social class was operationalized by Erik Olin Wright’s social class position typology, based on ownership and control over productive assets. The method of multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) was also applied to analyze the collected data. Results: The results indicated that mental distress was significantly differentiated across social classes and in each residential area. Unemployed and unskilled workers were the most vulnerable groups in terms of psychological health. Chronic stress arose in this study as a risk factor for poor mental health outcomes and it was associated to low marital quality, intense economic burden and impoverished housing conditions. Conclusion: Those who face income loss, job loss and disability are at high risk for poverty and marginalization, suffering from greater psychological distress.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myrthe G.B.M. Boekhorst ◽  
Lotte Muskens ◽  
Lianne P. Hulsbosch ◽  
Katrijn Van Deun ◽  
Veerle Bergink ◽  
...  

The COVID-19 pandemic affects society and may especially have an impact on mental health of vulnerable groups, such as perinatal women. This prospective cohort study compared perinatal symptoms of depression and stress during and before the pandemic. Pregnancy-specific stress increased significantly in women during the pandemic. We found no increase in depressive symptoms during pregnancy nor an increase in incidence of postnatal depression during the pandemic. Clinicians should be aware of increased stress in pregnant women and offer adequate care.


Author(s):  
Kwaku Oppong Asante ◽  
Emmanuella Asiama-Sampong ◽  
Richard Appiah

Abstract Background In sub-Saharan Africa, most government mental health facilities are under-resourced to cater for the mental health needs of the population, including the provision of treatment and recovery support services for persons with substance use disorders (SUDs). However, in other settings, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play significant roles by complementing governments’ efforts in the provision of care for vulnerable groups. Presently, no study exists that examines the contributions of NGOs in the recovery support of individuals with SUDs in the Ghanaian context. This study sets out to explore the role of NGOs in the recovery of persons with SUDs in Ghana. Method Using a descriptive qualitative design, eight staff (directors and senior recovery practitioners) from eight NGOs in southern Ghana were purposively selected and interviewed face-to-face using semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using the thematic analysis within an inductive approach. Results The results showed that NGOs provide three main services: treatment of drug addiction (through psychotherapy and recovery capital), re-integration of recovered individuals into society, and advocacy and awareness creation in schools and communities. These efforts are thwarted by limited qualified professionals and inadequate government support. Conclusion Our results underscore the need for government agencies to collaborate with NGOs involved in the recovery management of persons with SUDs and other mental disorders to complement their efforts in strategizing, designing, and implementing context-appropriate substance misuse prevention and intervention programs and policies in Ghana.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uma Parameswaran ◽  
Ryoko Pentecost ◽  
Marcia Williams ◽  
Marcela Smid ◽  
Gwen Latendresse

Abstract Background Perinatal depression (PD) affects 10-20% of childbearing women. Telehealth is increasingly utilized for mental health services to increase access to care and overcome COVID-19 pandemic barriers. Women’s perspectives on telehealth services for PD is unknown, however. This study's primary objective was to obtain the perspectives of women who participated in an 8-week group videoconference intervention for PD symptoms, including how technology impacted their experience. Methods We utilized theoretical sampling and included perinatal women who had completed the 8-week mindfulness-based cognitive-behavioral intervention group. Semi-structured focus groups with four to six women were conducted on a videoconference platform. Primary analysis used grounded theory and a secondary analysis used qualitative description and was conducted by two coding teams. The teams collaborated on the final themes across the analyses. Results Three groups, with a total of 17 participants were conducted. Composition consisted of seven postpartum and ten pregnant women from the 47 total participants. Identified core themes regarding their experiences of the videoconference intervention were: positive experiences, negative experiences, suggestions and ideas, and screening and communication. Conclusion This study provides growing evidence informed by perinatal women of positive experiences with engagement in a videoconference intervention for PD. Telehealth may be a reasonable and acceptable platform to increase access and retention for mental health services in childbearing women. Further, this pilot work showcases videoconferencing delivery for a wide range of effective and affordable mental health services in low-resource communities.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Louise Buthmann ◽  
Ian Gotlib

Background. Researchers have begun to examine the psychological toll of the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic. Data are now emerging indicating that there may be long-term adverse effects of the pandemic on new mothers and on children born during this period. Methods. In a longitudinal study of maternal mental health and child emotional development during the pandemic, we conducted online assessments of a cohort of women at two time points: when they were pregnant at the beginning of the surge of the pandemic in the United States (N=725), and approximately one year postpartum (N=296), examining prenatal and postnatal maternal mental health symptoms and infant temperament. Results. Prenatal maternal symptoms of somatization, the number of people in the household with COVID-19 symptoms, and postnatal maternal depressive symptoms all were positively associated with infant negative affect. Further, postnatal maternal depressive symptoms mediated the relation between prenatal maternal symptoms of somatization and infant negative affect. Conclusions. These findings have important implications for our understanding of the persistence of mental health symptoms in potentially vulnerable groups and of the emotional development of children who were in utero during the COVID-19 pandemic.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicia Diebold ◽  
Jessica K. Johnson ◽  
Marianne Brennan ◽  
Jody D. Ciolino ◽  
Amelie Petitclerc ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Perinatal depression is a pervasive public health concern that disproportionately affects low-income women and can have negative impacts on parenting and child developmental outcomes. Few interventions focus on preventing perinatal depression. Previous studies suggest that Mothers and Babies is efficacious in preventing the worsening of depressive symptoms and the onset of postpartum depression. This manuscript presents the protocol of the EPIC study (Effects of a Prenatal Depression Preventive Intervention on parenting and young children’s Self-Regulation and Functioning) to test the effects of Mothers and Babies on parenting and child developmental outcomes through 54 months postpartum. EPIC is an observational study that builds on a completed cluster-randomized trial (CRT). Innovations of this study are direct observations of a subsample of mother-child dyads and the inclusion of fathers/caregivers’ variables as moderators of maternal mental health. Methods For this study, we plan to enroll 738 women with children under 30 months old, ≥18 years old, and who speak English or Spanish. Additionally, 429 fathers, partners, or other adult caregivers will be recruited through women participating in the study. Women will be recruited through the parent study (intervention and control participants) or through one of 10 home visiting programs in Illinois (control participants). Data collection will take place through maternal self-report at five time points (when the child is 30, 36, 42, 48, and 54 months), paternal self-report at three time points (when the child is 30, 42, and 54 months), and through mother-child observations at three time points (when the child is 36, 42, and 48 months). Outcome domains include maternal mental health, cognitive-behavioral and parenting skills, and child self-regulation and functioning. Moderators include the contributions of fathers/caregivers, race-ethnicity, and socioeconomic disadvantage. Power and sample size were calculated assuming a two-sided 5% type I error rate and assumed analyses on the individual level. Discussion This study has several key strengths and innovations, as well as great potential significance to influence the long-term trajectories of parenting and child development via prenatal intervention. Trial registration The study was retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT04296734) on March 5, 2020.


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