Postnatal home visits from healthcare professionals show promise for preventing postnatal depression

摘要

The issue of psychosocial and psychological interventions is of interest and importance to sufferers and their families, clinicians and those that fund healthcare services. The review presents the rationale behind attempts to prevent postnatal depression in a clear and compelling way. There is consensus that postnatal depression is relatively common (around 13%) and that it is associated with poor maternal and infant outcomes. Many psychosocial and psychological risk factors for postnatal depression have been identified. In addition to those noted by the author, depressive symptoms during pregnancy have been repeatedly shown to predict postnatal depressive symptoms and/or depressive diagnoses.Although a large number of potential studies were identified by the present study (n = 155), only 15 studies were suitable and sufficiently rigorous for inclusion in analyses. When interpreting the results of subgroup analyses (for example, impact of different types of interventions), it is important to keep in mind that often few studies were available for inclusion in these analyses.The paper reaches a somewhat sobering conclusion. Despite the fact that it seems feasible and sensible to use psychosocial and psychological interventions to reduce the risk of postnatal depression, the evidence to support these approaches does not seem to be there currently. Although the author sees some promise in the provision of intensive, professionally based postpartum support, more studies are required to confirm this hope. The results of rtiis review, and another recent review, suggest merit in evaluating interventions that are provided in the postnatal period and that target high risk groups. As the author of the present paper notes, it is also important that future trials include an economic analysis of relative costs and benefits.