Abstract
An absence of data persists for common perinatal mental disorders and suicidal ideation and/or behaviors (SIB), particularly from low- and middle-income countries and from the antenatal period. Capitalizing on Sri Lanka's strong antenatal platform, we identify the prevalence of antenatal depressive symptomology, lifetime- and current-pregnancy SIB and their risk factors in women in urbanizing Sri Lanka, and present opportunities for improved antenatal detection of psychosocial vulnerabilities. One thousand antenatal women in Gampaha District from all trimesters of pregnancy were screened in 2016 using a novel three-part instrument, including the validated Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, a modified Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale for first ever use among a perinatal and South Asian population, and an original Life Circumstances questionnaire (with validated subscales). Prevalence and risk factors associated with depressive symptomology and SIB were explored using univariate, bivariate and logistic regression analyses. Women ranged from 16 to 42 years; 46% were nulliparous. Past-week prevalence of antenatal depressive symptomology was high (29.6%). One in four women reported a lifetime history of SIB, while SIB during the current pregnancy was reported at 7.4%. Exposure to intimate partner violence and lifetime SIB emerged as the strongest correlates of both depressive and current-pregnancy SIB outcomes (p < 0.05). This study evidences the high prevalence of multiple psychosocial vulnerabilities in pregnant women in Sri Lanka and underscores the need for their improved comprehensive assessment. Given antenatal care's high rates of use in Sri Lanka and in low- and middle-income countries in general, this study presents it as a promising mechanism through which to effectively screen for multiple psychosocial vulnerabilities, supporting early identification and intervention for at-risk women and their families.
Highlights
Antenatal care (ANC) provides a unique opportunity to identify and support women at risk of poor maternal health outcomes and has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing multiple health and social vulnerabilities
More recent evidence suggests common perinatal mental disorders (CPMDs) such as depression and anxiety are the commonest morbidities experienced by perinatal women (3)
Through the application of an innovative screening tool including the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), a modified Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale, and an original Life Circumstances questionnaire, this is the first study to report findings from an antenatal population in Sri Lanka inclusive of minority women and those with low literacy, and one of the few to do so from a low- and middleincome countries (LMICs)
Summary
Antenatal care (ANC) provides a unique opportunity to identify and support women at risk of poor maternal health outcomes and has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing multiple health and social vulnerabilities. In low- and middleincome countries (LMICs), where most maternal mortality and morbidity occurs (1), ANC may be the first and/or primary mechanism for women to connect with formal health services (2). Maternal health programs continue to focus on obstetric causes of mortality and morbidity. More recent evidence suggests common perinatal mental disorders (CPMDs) such as depression and anxiety are the commonest morbidities experienced by perinatal women (3). Programs have missed large subsets of women experiencing CPMDs and— rarer—symptoms of psychosis, self-harm, and suicide (4). Several high-income countries have invested in routine screening and/or issued guidance recommending universal screening of perinatal women in primary care (5), albeit with limited screening instruments
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
