title: Maternal mental health: The missing "m" in the global maternal and child health agenda.
abstract: While the physical health of women and children is emphasized, the mental aspects of their health are often ignored by maternal and child health programs, especially in low- and middle-income countries. We review the evidence of the magnitude, impact, and interventions for common maternal mental health problems with a focus on depression, the condition with the greatest public health impact. The mean prevalence of maternal depression ranges between 15.6% in the prenatal and 19.8% in the postnatal period. It is associated with preterm birth, low birth weight, and poor infant growth and cognitive development. There is emerging evidence for the effectiveness of interventions, especially those that can be delivered by non-specialists, including community health workers, in low-income settings. Strategies for integrating maternal mental health in the maternal and child health agenda are suggested.
authors.affiliation: Human Development Research Foundation, Islamabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Najia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Atif
authors.affiliation: University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Karina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lovell
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychology, Health & Society, University of Liverpool, UK. Electronic address: Atif.Rahman@liverpool.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Atif
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rahman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002657:Child Development; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009034:Mother-Child Relations / Q000523:psychology*; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D018743:Perinatal Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000523:psychology*; D047928:Premature Birth; D015995:Prevalence; D016730:Program Development; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Low- and middle-income countries; Maternal mental health; Perinatal depression; Postnatal depression; Public mental health