Perinatal depression and screening among Aboriginal Australians in the Kimberley.
OBJECTIVE
Adhoc culturally questionable perinatal mental-health screening among Aboriginal women in the Kimberley.


BACKGROUND
Mental-health issues, substance abuse and suicide attempts are high among young Aboriginal women in Australia. There is no evidence that the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is effective or culturally safe. Screening practices are complicated by limited understanding of the complex cultural interface between Western and Aboriginal beliefs and notions about health and mental-health.


OBJECTIVE
What is the current context of perinatal mental-health screening practices among Aboriginal women in the Kimberley and what might be considered a culturally safe approach?


METHODS
A review of the literature and exploration of current screening practices preceded community participatory action research (CPAR) of perinatal mental-health screening.


RESULTS
More than 100 Kimberley women and 72 health practitioners contributed to this joint strategic body of work. Recommendations for practice include one single culturally appropriate Kimberley version of the EPDS.
a School of Psychology and Exercise Science , Murdoch University , South Street, Murdoch , WA , Australia.
Jayne
J
Kotz
b School of Nursing, Midwifery & Paramedicine , Curtin University , Bentley , Australia.
Ailsa
A
Munns
a School of Psychology and Exercise Science , Murdoch University , South Street, Murdoch , WA , Australia.
Rhonda
R
Marriott
c The Rural Clinical School of Western Australia , The University of Western Australia , Broome , Australia.|d Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services , Broome , Australia.
Julia V
JV
Marley
D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D014904:Western Australia
Western Australia; depression; mental-health; midwifery; pregnancy; screening