Maternal Health Needs and Interest in Screening for Depression and Health Behaviors During Pediatric Visits

Abstract

IntroductionOur aims were to assess postpartum health care barriers; health status (including depression and health behaviors); missed opportunities to discuss maternal health at health visits; acceptability of maternal screening in pediatric settings; and association of these variables with income level and race/ethnicity. MethodA mail survey was used with names randomly drawn from birth files and balanced for race/ethnicity and income level. ResultsThe adjusted response rate was 27.6%, with 41% reporting one or more health care barrier(s), 22% screening positive for depression, and 30% screening positive for alcohol abuse. Women of lower income were eight times more likely than those of higher income to have health care barriers (adjusted odds ratio = 8.15; 95% confidence interval: 3.60, 18.44). Missed discussions of postpartum depression or behavioral health during pediatric or other health care visits ranged from 26% to 79%. Acceptability of discussing topics, including depression, smoking, and alcohol use at pediatric care visits generally exceeded 85%. DiscussionPostpartum women experienced income-associated barriers to health care and generally had favorable views about maternal screening in pediatric settings.