Effect of Telephone-Based Support on Postpartum Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Background Postpartum depression (PPD) is one public health issue that affects both maternal and child health. This research studies the effect of health volunteers’ telephone- based support on decreasing PPD. Materials and Methods This randomized controlled trial evaluated 203 women who had uncompl...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Royan Institute (ACECR), Tehran
2015-07-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Fertility and Sterility |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.ijfs.ir/article_45309_e0fe3a30742219445bdf6eec68569ed9.pdf |
| Summary: | Background Postpartum depression (PPD) is one public health issue that affects both maternal and child health. This research studies the effect of health volunteers’ telephone- based support on decreasing PPD. Materials and Methods This randomized controlled trial evaluated 203 women who had uncomplicated deliveries. The women completed the Edinburg Postnatal Depres- sion Scale (EPDS), 10 to 15 days after childbirth in order to be assessed for pre-trial depression scores. The cut-off point for depression was considered to be a score of >10. We randomly assigned 54 eligible mothers (n=27 per group) with mild and moderate de- pression to the intervention and control groups. In both groups, mothers received routine postpartum care. The intervention group additionally received telephone support from health volunteers. A questionnaire was used to gather demographic and obstetric infor- mation. By the end of the 6thweek, mothers completed the EPDS to be reassessed for depression after intervention. Data were analyzed using the chi-square, Fisher’s exact, t- and paired t tests. Results The mean depression scores before intervention (10 to 15 days after childbirth) in the intervention and control groups did not significantly differ (P=0.682). Depres- sion scores of the intervention and control groups showed a significant difference after 6 weeks (P=0.035). In addition, there was a significant decrease in depression for the intervention and control groups (P=0.045). Conclusion Health volunteer telephone-based support effectively decreased PPD and may be beneficial to women with symptoms of mild and moderate PPD (Registration number: IRCT201202159027N1). |
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| ISSN: | 2008-076X 2008-0778 |