Kaniz Gausia1, Sandra C Thompson2, Tricia Nagel3, Gill Schierhout4, Veronica Matthews5, Ross Bailie6. 1. Western Australian Centre for Rural Health, University of Western Australia, 167 Fitzgerald Street, Geraldton, WA 6530, Australia. Electronic address: Kaniz.gausia@uwa.edu.au. 2. Western Australian Centre for Rural Health, University of Western Australia, 167 Fitzgerald Street, Geraldton, WA 6530, Australia. Electronic address: Sandra.thompson@uwa.edu.au. 3. Mental Health, Wellbeing and Chronic Diseases Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Casuarina, NT 0811, Australia. Electronic address: Tricia.Nagel@menzies.edu.au. 4. Menzies School of Health Research, Casuarina, NT 0811, Australia. Electronic address: gill.schierhout@menzies.edu.au. 5. ABCD National Research Partnership Project, Menzies School of Health Research, Level 1, 147 Wharf Street, Spring Hill, QLD 4000, Australia. Electronic address: Veronica.Matthews@menzies.edu.au. 6. ABCD National Research Partnership Project, Menzies School of Health Research, Institute of Advanced Studies, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, NT 0810, Australia. Electronic address: Ross.Bailie@menzies.edu.au.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study explored the risk of antenatal psychosocial distress (APD) and associated potential factors and examined management aspects of risk of APD in women attending Aboriginal primary health care services in Australia. METHOD: Audits of medical records of 797 pregnant women from 36 primary health centres in five jurisdictions (NSW, QLD, SA, WA and NT) were undertaken as part of a quality improvement programme. Information collected included mental health assessed by a standard screening tools, enquiry regarding social and emotional well-being (SEWB), depression management (including antidepressant medications) and referral. RESULTS: Around 18% (n=141) of women were at risk of APD based on assessment using a standard screening tool or by SEWB enquiry. There was a significant association between risk of distress and women's life style behaviours (e.g., alcohol, illicit drug use) and health centre characteristics. Of the 141 women, 16% (n= 22) were prescribed antidepressant drugs during pregnancy. A range of nonpharmaceutical mental health interventions were also recorded, including brief intervention of 61% (n=86), counselling of 57% (n=80) and cognitive behaviour therapy of 5% (n=7). About 39% (n=55) of women with APD were referred to external services for consultations with a psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker or to a women's refuge centre. CONCLUSIONS: The higher risk of APD associated with women's life style behaviour indicates that the better understanding of mental health in its cultural context is essential.
OBJECTIVE: This study explored the risk of antenatal psychosocial distress (APD) and associated potential factors and examined management aspects of risk of APD in women attending Aboriginal primary health care services in Australia. METHOD: Audits of medical records of 797 pregnant women from 36 primary health centres in five jurisdictions (NSW, QLD, SA, WA and NT) were undertaken as part of a quality improvement programme. Information collected included mental health assessed by a standard screening tools, enquiry regarding social and emotional well-being (SEWB), depression management (including antidepressant medications) and referral. RESULTS: Around 18% (n=141) of women were at risk of APD based on assessment using a standard screening tool or by SEWB enquiry. There was a significant association between risk of distress and women's life style behaviours (e.g., alcohol, illicit drug use) and health centre characteristics. Of the 141 women, 16% (n= 22) were prescribed antidepressant drugs during pregnancy. A range of nonpharmaceutical mental health interventions were also recorded, including brief intervention of 61% (n=86), counselling of 57% (n=80) and cognitive behaviour therapy of 5% (n=7). About 39% (n=55) of women with APD were referred to external services for consultations with a psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker or to a women's refuge centre. CONCLUSIONS: The higher risk of APD associated with women's life style behaviour indicates that the better understanding of mental health in its cultural context is essential.
Authors: Emma Carlin; Katherine Ferrari; Erica P Spry; Melissa Williams; David Atkinson; Julia V Marley Journal: PLoS One Date: 2022-09-02 Impact factor: 3.752