Screening for post-partum depression in a community sample.
OBJECTIVE
This study undertook to estimate the prevalence of post-partum depression in the community by means of telephone screening. Demographic correlates of post-partum depression were also investigated.


METHODS
The sample was identified through two community health centres. Over a period of 17 months, 1559 childbearing women were screened at six weeks post-partum, using the ten-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).


RESULTS
The prevalence of post-partum depression was estimated to be 6.2%, using a cut point of 10 on the EPDS, and 3.4% using the more stringent cut point of 12. Women who were not working or those with lower occupational status, were at greater risk for depression. Recent immigrants, particularly those who were not working or who had given birth to a second child, were also at higher risk.


CONCLUSIONS
Telephone screening for post-partum depression is feasible, and can aid in the identification of women at risk.
Zelkowitz
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P
Department of Psychiatry, Sir Mortimer B. Davis-Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec.
Milet
T H
TH
D000069:Acculturation; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008403:Mass Screening; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011792:Quebec / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors