Prenatal Depression: Screening and Referral for Women Who Are Low Income during Antenatal Care

Abstract

This study uses prenatal clinical chart reviews of 245 women who were screened for depression while receiving antenatal care services at an urban hospital-based clinic in Syracuse, New York. The results indicate that more than one half of the mothers who screened positive are not being adequately referred and followed-up on to ensure they are receiving proper treatment. Among the mothers who are not being successfully referred are women who are non-English speaking, facing multiple life stressors, and inadequately insured. Recommendations for colocating services that may ease the ongoing burdens of new motherhood are addressed.

Keywords::

• Perinatal depression
• maternal health
• social work practice

Notes

^1. Dr. Lane, the research mentor and one of the coinvestigators on this study, was the project director of Syracuse Healthy Start during the initial phases of the introduction of depression screening to Syracuse-area providers.