Use of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale in some Swedish child health care centres.

A Swedish version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was validated in 53 women, in comparison with an interview based on the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale (CPRS-Depression). The EPDS was then applied to 258 women on four occasions, first at 2 and 6 weeks and then at 3 and 8 months post partum. At 2 weeks the proportion of women with signs of depression was 26%, 8% at 6 weeks, 13% at 3 months and 8% at 8 months. An analysis of the 10 items in the EPDS was performed. The subjects felt the questionnaire to express their situation accurately and relevantly. It was also regarded as easy to complete.