title: Reactions and attitudes to postpartal mental symptoms in a rural community.
abstract: We examined the reactions of population, social and health care professionals and local politicians in the context of a narrative case of a newborn and her mother evincing postpartal mental symptoms. The results of this postal questionnaire study indicated that in assessing the urgent need for support, a significant positive association prevailed in the resident cohort with female gender, age over 50 years or being a parent. Professionals and politicians estimated that appropriate care and access to care would be obtained in the maternity and child health clinic in the local health centre. Residents would contact relatives rather than social and health care professionals. A future challenge is to promote the knowledge and sensitivity of the general population in recognizing mental symptoms in mothers with small children. Adequate information is also called for regarding local services and means of access to care.
authors.affiliation: Suupohja Health Centre, Prännärintie 6-8, 61800, Kauhajoki, Finland, kirsti.kahara@llky.fi.
authors.forename: Kirsti
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kähärä
authors.forename: Ulla
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Tulisalo
authors.forename: Juhani
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Grönlund
authors.forename: Kari J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Mattila
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult