The effect of brief alcohol intervention on postpartum depression.
OBJECTIVE
To report on secondary results from the Healthy Moms Study, a clinical trial to test the efficacy of brief intervention on reducing alcohol use and alcohol-related harms in postpartum women.


METHODS
Data from a randomized clinical trial conducted between 2002 and 2005 with a sample of Wisconsin women was analyzed. This report presents comparison data on depressive symptomatology between postpartum women drinking above recommended levels who received a brief alcohol intervention and those who received no intervention.


RESULTS
At 6-month follow-up, there was a significant reduction in mean depression scores compared to baseline in the women who received the alcohol intervention (p < .001). There was no significant reduction in depressive symptomatology in the control group. Mean level of depression at 6 months was significantly predicted by baseline depression and the alcohol intervention (p = .018). Alcohol use at either baseline or follow-up was not a predictive factor in determining mean depressive symptomatology.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the Healthy Moms Study support the importance of both alcohol and depression screening during the postpartum period. Brief alcohol intervention during this time may also positively affect depressive symptomatology.
Wilton
Georgiana
G
University of Wisconsin Department of Family Medicine, WI, USA. georgiana.wilton@fammed.wisc.edu
Moberg
D Paul
DP
Fleming
Michael F
MF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003376:Counseling; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D008429:Maternal Welfare; D055815:Young Adult