scholarly journals Perinatal mental health around the world: priorities for research and service development in Italy

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pietro Grussu ◽  
Ilaria Lega ◽  
Rosa Maria Quatraro ◽  
Serena Donati
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Postpartum Period ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Family Care ◽  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
Population Based ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Perinatal Mental Health ◽  
Service Development

In Italy, most studies on perinatal mental health and initiatives aimed at improving the early detection and management of perinatal mental disorders have been carried out at the local level. National population-based studies are lacking. A study of pregnant women, recruited and diagnosed by a university hospital, found a 12.4% prevalence of minor and major depression during pregnancy, and a prevalence of 9.6% in the postpartum period. In a population-based surveillance system, covering 77% of national births, suicide was identified to be one of the main causes of maternal death within the first year after birth, yet half of those who were known to have a high suicide risk during the postpartum period had not been referred to a mental health service. The value of recognising depressive or anxiety symptoms early, during pregnancy, has been emphasised by recent research and should be linked to multi-professional psychosocial interventions. Since 2017, the Italian public primary care services that are dedicated to pregnancy assistance (Family Care Centres) have been tasked to provide free psychological assessment to pregnant and postpartum women. Action is now needed in order to improve access to Italian Family Care Centres for pregnant women and to develop an integrated care model involving obstetric and mental health services.

scholarly journals Perinatal mental health around the world: priorities for research and service development in Sweden

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birgitta Wickberg ◽  
Marie Bendix ◽  
Margareta Blomdahl Wetterholm ◽  
Alkistis Skalkidou
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Perinatal Mental Health ◽  
Service Development ◽  
Immigrant Parents ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Assessment And Treatment

Sweden has a unique opportunity to identify and follow up women presenting with, or at risk for, perinatal mental health problems and disorders because universal screening programmes are provided by its primary healthcare system. Although they are implemented across almost the entire population, screening programmes are not necessarily leading to effective interventions because the multidisciplinary perinatal mental healthcare teams that provide for the assessment and treatment of moderate to severe disorders are very few in number and must be increased. In particular, efforts to reach immigrant parents must be intensified to achieve equal quality of care for all.

Postpartum emergency department use among women with intellectual and developmental disabilities: a retrospective cohort study

2019 ◽  
Vol 73 (6) ◽  
pp. 557-563 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Mitra ◽  
Ilhom Akobirshoev ◽  
Susan L Parish ◽  
Anne Valentine ◽  
Karen M Clements ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Postpartum Period ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Healthcare Needs ◽  
Ed Visits

BackgroundAn emerging body of evidence underscores the often-intensive perinatal healthcare needs of women with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). However, population-based research examining postpartum experiences of US women with IDD is sparse. We examined emergency department (ED) use in the postpartum period among Massachusetts mothers with IDD.MethodsWe analysed 2002–2010 Massachusetts Pregnancy to Early Life Longitudinal data to compare any and ≥2 ED visits between mothers with and without IDD: within 1–42 days post partum, 1–90 days post partum and 1–365 days post partum. We also determined whether or not such ED use was non-urgent or primary-care sensitive.ResultsWe identified 776 births in women with IDD and 595 688 births in women without IDD. Across all three postpartum periods, women with IDD were vastly more likely to have any postpartum ED use, to have ≥2 ED visits and to have ED visits for mental health reasons. These findings persisted after controlling for numerous sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Women with IDD were less likely to have non-urgent ED visits during the three postpartum periods and they were less likely to have primary-care sensitive ED visits during the postpartum period.ConclusionThese findings contribute to the emerging research on perinatal health and healthcare use among women with IDD. Further research examining potential mechanisms behind the observed ED visit use is warranted. High ED use for mental health reasons among women with IDD suggests that their mental health needs are not being adequately met.

scholarly journals A study protocol for testing the feasibility of a randomised stepped wedge cluster design to investigate a Community Health Intervention through Musical Engagement (CHIME) for perinatal mental health in The Gambia

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie Rose M. Sanfilippo ◽  
Bonnie McConnell ◽  
Victoria Cornelius ◽  
Buba Darboe ◽  
Hajara B. Huma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Intervention ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
Perinatal Mental Health ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Stepped Wedge ◽  
Musical Engagement

Abstract Background Perinatal mental health problems affect up to one in five women worldwide. Mental health problems in the perinatal period are a particular challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where they can be at least twice as frequent as in higher-income countries. It is thus of high priority to develop new low-cost, low-resource, non-stigmatising and culturally appropriate approaches to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression perinatally, for the benefit of both mother and child. Music-centred approaches may be particularly useful in The Gambia since a range of musical practices that specifically engage pregnant women and new mothers already exist. Methods This protocol is for a study to examine the feasibility of undertaking a stepped wedge trial to test how a Community Health Intervention through Musical Engagement (CHIME) could be beneficial in alleviating perinatal mental distress in The Gambia. In this study, we plan to recruit 120 pregnant women (n = 60 intervention, n = 60 control) at four antenatal clinics over two 6-week stepped sequences. Women in the intervention will participate in weekly group-singing sessions, led by local Kanyeleng singing groups, for 6 weeks. The control group will receive standard care. We will assess symptoms of anxiety and depression using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20). The feasibility of the design will be assessed through recruitment, retention and attrition rates of participants, clinics' adherence to the schedule and completeness of data by site. Qualitative interviews and video and audio recordings will be used to evaluate the acceptability of the intervention. Discussion This feasibility trial will allow us to determine whether a larger trial with the same intervention and target group is feasible and acceptable in The Gambia. Trial registration Retrospectively registered (24/01/2019) with Pan African Clinical Trials Registry (PACTR): PACTR201901917619299.

Cross-Cultural Differences in Adjustment to Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane M. Onoye ◽  
Deborah Goebert ◽  
Leslie Morland
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Acculturative Stress ◽  
Postpartum Period ◽  
Cultural Difference ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Mental Health Research ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Perinatal Mental Health

Cultural context is important to understanding cross-cultural difference in adjustment to pregnancy and the postpartum period. Culture is complex, with interrelated variables posing challenges for research. Highlighted with examples of research with women from Western, Eastern, Native, and Other cultures, the chapter discusses variables such as acculturation and acculturative stress, social support, religious and spiritual beliefs and practices, and help-seeking and utilization of services in perinatal mental health and adjustment. Although rates of psychiatric symptoms and disorders vary across cultures, postpartum depression is universal and most often reflected in the perinatal mental health literature. Research on interventions and services mainly examine Western approaches as standard models of health care; however, understanding cultural context can help to inform directions for intervention adaptations or tailoring through a “cultural lens.” There are growing segments of cross-cultural perinatal mental health research, but many gaps still remain.

scholarly journals Preterm Labor Using Tocolysis as a Possible Risk Factor for Postpartum Depression: A 14-Year Population-Based Study in Taiwan

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 7211
Author(s):  
Jui-Ming Liu ◽  
Chien-Yu Liu ◽  
Ren-Jun Hsu ◽  
Fung-Wei Chang
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Postpartum Depression ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Preterm Labor ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Research Database ◽  
Medical Therapies

Postpartum depression (PPD) is associated with negative physical and mental health outcomes for the mother and infant. Women often experience elevated symptoms of PPD, and the incidence of PPD has increased in recent years. There were lack of studies to investigate the effects of medications during pregnancy. Herein, we focused on the most common obstetric medical therapies used in labor and determined whether the medical therapies cause mental stress in pregnant women. This 14-year retrospective population-based nationwide study was based on the National Health Insurance Research Database. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for each tocolytic and uterotonic treatments during pregnancy and common medical illnesses. In comparing the effects of tocolytic and uterotonic medications on maternal PPD, tocolysis with the injection form of ritodrine resulted in a significantly higher risk of PPD based on multivariate analysis. This study supports existing research demonstrating an association between tocolysis with ritodrine and PPD. Ritodrine treatment for preterm labor was a significant risk factor for PPD, especially the injection form. This information provides obstetricians and health policy providers to pay attention to maternal mental health outcomes among high-risk pregnant women.

scholarly journals Preferences of participating in diabetes screening programs for postpartum women with gestational diabetes mellitus in a university hospital in Turkey

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Azime Karakoc Kumsar ◽  
Feride Taskin Yilmaz ◽  
Gulbahtiyar Demirel
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Gestational Diabetes ◽  
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Postpartum Period ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Individual Identification ◽  
Diabetes Screening ◽  
Content Type ◽  
History Of

PurposeThe aim of this study is to determine the preferences to participate in diabetes screening program of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in postpartum period.Design/methodology/approachThe data of retrospective and descriptive study were collected using “Individual Identification Form” and “Information Form for the Screening of Diabetes in the Postpartum Period” from 151 women in referred to obstetrics and gynecology clinic of a university hospital in Turkey.FindingsOnly 21.9% of women had diabetes screening in postpartum period and 21.2% of the participants were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. It was determined that the participants mostly participated in screening because of the diabetes history in their family (30.3%). Women who had diabetes screening in postpartum period had lower level of education than those who did not and their level of knowledge about the screening in postpartum and the history of abortion were higher (p < 0.01).Originality/valueThe rate of participation in the screening for diabetes in the postpartum period is very low in pregnant women diagnosed with GDM. It was determined that the educational status, history of previous abortion and knowledge level of the women were factors that prevented participation in diabetes screening. This research is original because there are inadequacy of studies examining determining the participation status of pregnant women with GDM to diabetes screening in the literature. This study will contribute to health professionals in order to improve preventive factors and increase the participation of pregnant women with GDM in diabetes screening in the postpartum period.

Perinatal Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence for Heightened Distress in Pregnant Women Highlights the Need for Novel Interventions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alyssa Rae Morris ◽  
Dorian Traube ◽  
Ashwini Lakshmanan ◽  
Amy West ◽  
Darby Saxbe
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Perinatal Mental Health ◽  
Interpersonal Therapy ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Perinatal Women

This manuscript reports on a sample of 641 pregnant women surveyed in spring 2020, during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic when social distancing was at its peak in the United States. Expectant mothers described elevated psychological distress, perceived stress, loneliness, and many behavioral changes. More than half of the women in the sample endorsed depressive symptoms above clinical threshold and two-thirds reported clinically significant anxiety, with average scores for depression, anxiety, and stress more than a standard deviation higher than those measured pre-pandemic. Given this early evidence for heightened distress, treatment options that can be targeted to support perinatal women and comply with social distancing guidelines are needed. The final sections of this paper highlight the promising role of telehealth modalities and discuss specific interventions, such as Interpersonal Therapy, that may be particularly useful in treating perinatal women in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Public Significance: The COVID-19 pandemic has had sweeping effects on perinatal mental health, which in turn has wide-ranging impacts for maternal, child, and family well-being. This paper describes treatment approaches that may ameliorate the pandemic’s impact.

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