TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2023//
TI  - Screening for postpartum depression and risk of suicidality with obstetrical patients: a cross-sectional survey
JO  - BMC pregnancy and childbirth
A1  - Boisvert, Carlie
A1  - Talarico, Robert
A1  - Gandhi, Jasmine
A1  - Kaluzienski, Mark
A1  - Dingwall-Harvey, Alysha Lj
A1  - White, Ruth Rennicks
A1  - Sampsel, Kari
A1  - Wen, Shi Wu
A1  - Walker, Mark
A1  - Muldoon, Katherine A.
A1  - El-Chaar, Darine
SP  - e635
EP  - e635
VL  - 23
IS  - 1
N2  - BACKGROUND: Pregnancy is a vulnerable time where the physical and social stress of the COVID-19 pandemic affects psychological health, including postpartum depression (PPD). This study is designed to estimate the prevalence and correlates of PPD and risk of suicidality among individuals who gave birth during the COVID-19 pandemic. <br><br>METHODS: We surveyed individuals who gave birth at The Ottawa Hospital and were ≥ 20 days postpartum, between March 17 and June 16, 2020. A PPD screen consisted of a score ≥ 13 using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. A score of 1, 2, or 3 on item 10 ("The thought of harming myself has occurred to me") indicates risk of suicidality. If a participant scores greater than ≥ 13 or ≥ 1 on item 10 they were flagged for PPD, the Principal Investigator (DEC) was notified within 24 h of survey completion for a chart review and to assure follow-up. Modified Poisson multivariable regression models were used to identify factors associated with PPD and risk of suicidality using adjusted risk ratios (aRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). <br><br>RESULTS: Of the 216 respondents, 64 (30%) screened positive for PPD and 17 (8%) screened positive for risk of suicidality. The maternal median age of the total sample was 33 years (IQR: 30-36) and the infant median age at the time of the survey was 76 days (IQR: 66-90). Most participants reported some form of positive coping strategies during the pandemic (97%) (e.g. connecting with friends and family, exercising, getting professional help) and 139 (64%) reported negative coping patterns (e.g. over/under eating, sleep problems). In total, 47 (22%) had pre-pregnancy anxiety and/or depression. Negative coping (aRR:2.90, 95% CI: 1.56-5.37) and pre-existing anxiety/depression (aRR:2.03, 95% CI:1.32-3.11) were associated with PPD. Pre-existing anxiety/depression (aRR:3.16, 95% CI:1.28-7.81) was associated with risk of suicidality. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Almost a third of participants in this study screened positive for PPD and 8% for risk of suicidality. Mental health screening and techniques to foster positive coping skills/strategies are important areas to optimize postpartum mental health.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1471-2393
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12884-023-05903-z
ID  - ref1
ER  -