NCT06664593

Screening for Depression and Anxiety in Pregnant and Postpartum Women: Evaluating Prevalence, Risk Factors, and the Stepped Screening Protocol in a Care Pathway

Detection of Perinatal Mental Disorders

• Status: Completed
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 378 (actual)
• Sponsor: University Hospital, Ghent · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Having a baby is a major life event, and for some women, it can increase the risk of developing mental health issues. A recent survey in the UK found that one in five women experience mental health problems during pregnancy or after giving birth. Unfortunately, many of these problems go unnoticed without regular check-ups, and only one in ten women receive the support they need. Regular mental health screenings can help detect these problems early, ensuring women receive the right care and support. The study at UZ Gent aims to improve how depression and anxiety are detected in pregnant and postpartum women by using a perinatal screening protocol. This protocol involves screening women for psychosocial risks around the 16th week of pregnancy, which is done by a midwife. Further screenings take place during the second trimester (around 20 weeks) and again six weeks after birth, using questionnaires to assess for depression and anxiety (Whooley, EPDS, GAD-2, GAD-7). If the assessment of risk factors or the screening for depression and anxiety is positive, further assessment and treatment are offered at the women\'s clinic. A positive screening may lead to a recommendation for a diagnostic interview, such as a semi-structured interview (M.I.N.I.), with a psychiatrist, general practitioner, or psychologist to assess for possible depression or anxiety disorders. If needed, appropriate treatment will be provided. The study will explore how common depression and anxiety are during and after pregnancy, what factors increase the risk, and whether the screening process improves early detection and treatment. The ultimate goal is to help more women get the mental health support they need during this critical time.

Conditions

• Depression, Postpartum
• Puerperal Disorders
• Depression During Pregnancy
• Anxiety
• Anxiety Disorder/Anxiety State
• Stress, Psychological
• Risk Factors

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	integrated perinatal mental health pathway	This observational study examines whether assessing psychosocial risk factors and screening for depression and anxiety at different time points during the perinatal period, using a stepped protocol, helps to more quickly detect women with depressive and anxiety symptoms.

Timeline

• Start date: 2018-11-20
• Primary completion: 2020-02-18
• Completion: 2020-07-30
• First posted: 2024-10-29
• Last updated: 2024-10-29

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Belgium