The role of available resources to identify and treat low-income women with postpartum depression during Covid-19✰

Abstract

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a frequent complication that occurs during the postpartum period. New mothers are at risk of developing psychiatric disorders including depression. Depression leads to impairments in social functioning, quality of life, and increased risk of health problems. In the United States, PPD is experienced by up to one in seven women (American Psychological Association, 2008) with a range of 8 % to 20 % (Webber & Benedict, 2019). Global responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020 made prevalent existing sexual, reproductive health, and justice inequities among women, girls, and vulnerable populations. Efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic have affected the sexual and reproductive health of women with increased cases of domestic violence, deaths among women, and depression. This study aimed to uncover the role of available resources in identifying and treating low-income women with PPD. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to interview low-income women of childbearing age (18–51), pregnant, or with children aged 2 or younger to learn from their experiences accessing resources to report symptoms and get treated for PPD during the COVID-19 pandemic. All 8 participants were Latinas between the age of 18–51; with low income defined by their family annual household income and by being a beneficiary of a financial assistance program like WIC and Medicaid; had a baby since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020; had been diagnosed with PPD or with at least five clinical symptoms of PPD (inability to sleep or sleeping much, mood swings, change in appetite, fear of harming herself or the baby, extreme concern and worry about the baby, sadness or excessive crying, feelings of doubt, guilt and helplessness, difficulty concentrating and remembering, loss of interest in hobbies, and thoughts of death) lasting more than 4 weeks. Participants with English or Spanish as their primary language were interviewed. Five themes emerged from the interviews including 1. Fear, anxiety, and loss of interest; 2. Social support; 3. Barriers to screening; 4. Lack of resources for PPD; and 5. The COVID-19 pandemic. Their experiences reflect the lack of communication between patients and health care providers as well as the absence of resources offered to low-income women. There are limitations to this study, including being limited to the experiences of low-income women living in Dallas, Texas. This study is also limited to the perceptions of low-income women who self-identified to be between the ages of 25 to 44 years and Latinas who completed a demographic survey and a one-on-one interview to share their experiences with PPD symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was also narrowed by 10 semi-structured questions that the eight study participants were asked.