Prevalence and detection of postnatal depression in an Irish community sample

OBJECTIVES: To establish the prevalence of postnatal depression using standardised methods of diagnosis and to evaluate early detection of postnatal depression. METHODS: Prospective cohort study. Prevalence established using two-step screening with EPDS and semi-structured clinical interview for ICD-10 diagnosis. EPDS recorded at day three-five postnatal evaluated as predictor of depression at week six postnatal. RESULTS: Prevalence established at 14.4%. EPDS recorded at day three-five postnatal when combined with past history of depression was a predictor of depression occurring at week six postnatal. CONCLUSIONS: We found a similar prevalence of postnatal depression in this Irish sample to other international prevalence studies. There are implications for hospital based screening to identify those at risk of developing a postnatal depression.