title: Effect of Telephone-Based Support on Postpartum Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Postpartum depression (PPD) is one public health issue that affects both maternal and child health. This research studies the effect of health volunteers' telephone- based support on decreasing PPD.
  
  
  METHODS
  This randomized controlled trial evaluated 203 women who had uncomplicated deliveries. The women completed the Edinburg Postnatal Depres- sion Scale (EPDS), 10 to 15 days after childbirth in order to be assessed for pre-trial depression scores. The cut-off point for depression was considered to be a score of >10. We randomly assigned 54 eligible mothers (n=27 per group) with mild and moderate de- pression to the intervention and control groups. In both groups, mothers received routine postpartum care. The intervention group additionally received telephone support from health volunteers. A questionnaire was used to gather demographic and obstetric infor- mation. By the end of the 6thweek, mothers completed the EPDS to be reassessed for depression after intervention. Data were analyzed using the chi-square, Fisher's exact, t- and paired t tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean depression scores before intervention (10 to 15 days after childbirth) in the intervention and control groups did not significantly differ (P=0.682). Depres- sion scores of the intervention and control groups showed a significant difference after 6 weeks (P=0.035). In addition, there was a significant decrease in depression for the intervention and control groups (P=0.045).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Health volunteer telephone-based support effectively decreased PPD and may be beneficial to women with symptoms of mild and moderate PPD (Registration number: IRCT201202159027N1).
authors.affiliation: Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center (IRHRC), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ; Department of Health and Social Medicine, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Hourieh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shamshiri Milani
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Social Medicine, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Eznollah
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Azargashb
authors.affiliation: Taleghani Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Narges
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Beyraghi
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Social Medicine, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Defaie
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Social Medicine, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Taha
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Asbaghi
keywords: Mother; Postnatal Care; Postpartum Depression; Volunteers; Women Health