Mental health during pregnancy: a study comparing Asian, Caucasian and Native Hawaiian women.
OBJECTIVE
This study examines perinatal mental health issues, ethnic differences, and comorbidity among pregnant women in Hawaii.


METHODS
Eighty-four participants were recruited from women, ages 18-35, seeking prenatal care on Oahu. They were interviewed at their initial prenatal visit about substance use, depression, and anxiety.


RESULTS
Sixty-one percent of women screened positive for at least one mental health issue. Thirteen percent of all pregnant women reported drinking during pregnancy with 5% reporting problem drinking, 15% reported smoking cigarettes on a regular basis, 5% of pregnant women had probable depression, and 13% of pregnant women had probable anxiety. Significant ethnic differences were found in cigarette smoking, with the highest rate among Native Hawaiian women (35%). Native Hawaiian women were also more likely to binge drink.


CONCLUSIONS
Given the high rates of potential mental health issues in our sample, our findings highlight the importance of screening and treatment for mental health issues early in pregnancy in Hawaii.
Goebert
Deborah
D
Department of Psychiatry, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, 1356 Lusitana Street, 4th Floor, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813, USA. goebertd@dop.hawaii.edu
Morland
Leslie
L
Frattarelli
LeighAnn
L
Onoye
Jane
J
Matsu
Courteney
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000208:ethnology*; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D006254:Hawaii / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D044468:Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D011295:Prenatal Care; D015995:Prevalence; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012907:Smoking / Q000208:ethnology; D012944:Social Support; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000208:ethnology*; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology*