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Screening for Perinatal Depression With Limited Psychiatric Resources

University of South Florida College of Nursing, Tampa, cjevitt{at}hsc.usf.edu

Lauren Zapata

Central Hillsborough Healthy Start Project, Central Hillsborough Healthy Start, Tampa, Florida

Monalisa Harrington

Girling Healthcare, Inc., Tampa, Florida

Estrellita Berry

Central Hillsborough Healthy Start Project, Central Hillsborough Healthy Start, Tampa, Florida

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.

Key Words: postpartum depression • perinatal depression • community health nursing • Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale

Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, Vol. 11, No. 6, 359-363 (2005)
DOI: 10.1177/1078390305284530


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