Investigation of Postpartum Depression Among Medical Staff From 21 Maternal and Child Care Centers in Wuhan: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Objective To investigate the recognition of postpartum depression (PPD) among clinicians and nurses serving in the maternal and child care centers in Wuhan. Methods From March to May 2009, using stratified cluster randomization method, 106 clinicians and 102 nurses (sample 1, n=208) from 21 maternal and child care centers, and 57 clinicians and 59 nurses of mental health center (sample 2, n=116)were randomly selected and administered with Postpartum Depression Test Questionnaire (case 1: postpartum depression, case 2: Schizophrenia with predominantly negative symptoms). Comparative analysis on the answers of the test questionnaire of postpartum depression were made between sample 1 and sample 2 by χ2 test. The study protocol was approved by the Ethical Review Board of Investigation in Human Being of Wuhan Mental Health Center. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. Results The correct rates of the answers of postpartum depression test questionnaire from sample 1 were statistically lower than those of sample 2 between case 1 and case 2(P<0.001, P<0.001) (Case 1: The correct rates were 17.9% vs.75.4% and 0.0 vs.67.8% for clinicians and nurses respectively; Case 2: The correct rates were 10.4% vs.73.7% and 6.86%vs.69.5% for clinicians and nurses respectively). Conclusion The clinicians and nurses in maternal and child care centers were not fully capable of recognizing and treatment postpartum depression. It's necessary to strengthen the education of clinicians and nurses in psychiatry filed. Key words: postpartum depression(PPD); recognition; medical staff; cross-sectional survey