Screening for Perinatal Depression With Limited Psychiatric Resources

BACKGROUND: The reported rates of perinatal depression range from 10% to 15%. Many communities have limited resources for diagnosis and treatment of depression. OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this descriptive study were to evaluate the feasibility of screening women over time for perinatal depression and making appropriate referrals for diagnosis and treatment. DESIGN: Registered nurses, including community health nurses and a midwife, attempted to screen clients during the prenatal period and at 72 hours and 6 weeks postpartum. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used. RESULTS: Registered nurses were able to screen 180 women at least one time. Based on the initial screen, 63 (35%) women screened positive for depression and had the potential to be referred to a licensed social worker for diagnosis and/or treatment. CONCLUSION: Registered nurses were successful in screening for perinatal depression and making appropriate referrals. Longitudinal screening was difficult due to client refusal to be screened, participants being lost to follow-up, and/or moving outside the designated census tracts. Consistent with the literature, 10.6% of women were diagnosed with a depressive disorder.