A hospital survey of postpartum depression education at the time of delivery.
OBJECTIVE
To assess and characterize health education regarding postpartum depression (PPD) received by recently delivered women during their postpartum hospital stay.


METHODS
Mailed, self-administered survey.


METHODS
All 121 hospitals in Ohio that provide obstetric and postpartum care.


METHODS
Nurse managers for obstetric services, 90 (74%) of whom returned surveys.


METHODS
Types of postpartum education provided, format of postpartum depression education delivery, attitudes regarding postpartum depression education.


RESULTS
Most hospitals (89.7%) educate newly delivered women about PPD, most often by passive methods. Specific educational programs were offered by only 14% of hospitals. Most PPD education was provided during hospitalization after delivery; however, 50% of respondents felt that it should be provided at every possible opportunity.


CONCLUSIONS
PPD education is one of several topics covered during hospitalization for newly delivered mothers. Health providers of all disciplines should be involved in educating a new mother about PPD.
Garg
Asha
A
Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, USA.
Morton
Sunny
S
Heneghan
Amy
A
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009718:Nurse Administrators / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D009773:Obstetric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D009820:Ohio; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000458:organization & administration; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000458:organization & administration