Patterns of health care utilization and mental health characteristics of pregnant and early postpartum women
Date
2013-01-28
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Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada’s (SOGC) goal of prenatal care is to “reduce perinatal mortality and morbidity, while supporting women’s medical, social and psychological needs.”
Research objective: To describe the association between a) maternal characteristics and care provider, and b) between prenatal care (PNC) utilization and risk of postpartum depression (PPD).
Methods: Questionnaires administered (N=1347) twice during pregnancy and at four months postpartum measured risk of PPD. PNC utilization was compared to scores on the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression scale, controlling for known risk factors.
Results: Adequacy of prenatal care was not related to PPD. Women with lower income were more likely to have received inadequate prenatal care. Differences were observed among women who received their prenatal care from different providers.
Conclusion: The lack of evidence of an association between adequate PNC utilization and PPD suggests that there may be missed opportunities to support women’s psychological needs.
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Keywords
Epidemiology, Mental Health, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Citation
Weller, C. (2013). Patterns of health care utilization and mental health characteristics of pregnant and early postpartum women (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/27276