Health visitors may prevent post-natal depression
Wednesday August 18th, 2010
Women are less likely to develop post-natal depression if they are seen by a well-trained health visitor, British researchers reported last night.
Professor Terry Brugha of Leicester University, UK, and colleagues carried out a study of health visitor training in assessment and psychological support for new mothers.
The researchers say that, while small scale studies have been carried out on preventing depression among adults, this is the first large scale randomised trial to clearly show a statistically significant reduction in future cases of depression in women living in the community who were not previously depressed.
It is published in the journal Psychological Medicine. Professor Brugha said: "Up until now, it was thought that depression could only be treated when it is picked up by a GP or health visitor.
"But this study shows that women are less likely to become depressed in the year after child birth if they are attended by an NHS health visitor who has undergone additional training in specific mental health assessment and in psychological approaches based on either cognitive behavioural or listening techniques.
"Women receiving usual care were significantly more likely to develop depression six months after childbirth."
The research team have been unable to continue their research due to a substantial reduction in the number of NHS health visitors in most parts of England.
"Mothers were fortunate if they receive just one home visit from a health visitor," Professor Brugha said. "Health visitors were unable to take time off to undergo the extra training in assessment of depression and psychologically support approaches."
They believe this is a key issue for the health and well-being of new mothers.
Brugha, T. et al. Universal prevention of depression in women postnatally: cluster randomized trial evidence in primary care. Psychological Medicine, Vol. 40, 2010 (in press).
Tags: Mental Health | NHS | Nursing & Midwifery | UK News | Women’s Health & Gynaecology
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