title: Antenatal psychosocial assessment and depression screening in a private hospital.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It has been recommended that psychosocial assessment (including depression screening) be integrated into routine antenatal care across Australia, but implementation in the private sector has lagged.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to report preliminary outcomes associated with an antenatal psychosocial assessment and depression screening program implemented at an Australian private obstetric hospital setting and to report characteristics and correlates of elevated depression symptoms in this sample.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 993 pregnant women (mean ± SD gestational age 27.9 ± 6.7 weeks) participated in a structured psychosocial assessment interview and completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six per cent of participants scored ≥13 on the EPDS. Psychosocial correlates of antenatal depressive symptoms included low income, history of pregnancy termination, poor practical support, lack of confidence and history of depression. Almost 1 in 10 of the total sample was referred for further assessment and clinical support.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of clinically significant antenatal depressive symptoms in this sample highlights the importance of antenatal depression screening for all women, including those who choose to access private obstetric care.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Psychologist & Research Coordinator, Karitane, Villawood, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kohlhoff
authors.affiliation: North Shore Private Hospital, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Rachael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hickinbotham
authors.affiliation: Gidget Foundation, North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Knox
authors.affiliation: North Shore Private Hospital, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Vijay
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Roach
authors.affiliation: St John of God Raphael Services, Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Bryanne
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Barnett Am
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D016304:Hospitals, Private / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D011203:Poverty / Q000523:psychology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011295:Prenatal Care; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D018570:Risk Assessment; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support
keywords: antenatal; depression; private hospitals; psychosocial; screening