| dc.description.abstract | Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant mental illness that impacts 12.5% of all postpartum women. In women with low-income, the prevalence increases to 25% and 40-60% of low-income, adolescent mothers report depressive symptoms. Postpartum depression also presents a significant early risk to healthy child development and the bond between mother and child. Symptoms of PPD can present as soon as 2 weeks postpartum and as late as 3 years postpartum. Unfortunately, once delivered, women are typically not assessed by a medical provider until 6 weeks postpartum. Therefore, targeting additional opportunities for PPD education in low-income women may play a role in the early detection and treatment of PPD.
The purpose of the practice improvement project (PIP) was to increase knowledge of PPD and provide community resources for low-income pregnant and postpartum mothers presenting to the Grand Forks, North Dakota Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) office. An evidence-based, professional, and focus population-reviewed PPD education packet, inclusive of a list of local mental health resources, was created and distributed to women that presented to the WIC office in their last trimester of pregnancy up to 6 months postpartum.
The developed packet included signs and symptoms of PPD, helpful strategies, local resources, screening tools, treatment, and emergency numbers. The packet was reviewed by a multidisciplinary team consisting of medical providers who had experience caring for women, children, and mental health patients along with local postpartum mothers (N=10). All packet reviewers agreed that the packet contained information that was accurate, pertinent, and comprehensive and that they would distribute in their own communities. The packet was distributed by WIC staff to eligible participants. Participants who received the packet were asked to complete a voluntary survey that evaluated packet effectiveness. Eight of ten eligible women accepted the packet. Of participants that accepted the packet, two returned the survey. The two packet recipients who returned the survey reported the packet and list of resources as helpful. Although eligible women participants were few, the project was effective in distributing applicable PPD information and resources that are recommended to continue to be distributed through other venues involving postpartum women. | en_US |
