Nurses’ knowledge, beliefs and practices regarding the screening and treatment of postpartum depression in maternal and child health clinics: A cross-sectional survey
- Author:
Kang Pei San
;
Mohazmi bin Mohamed
;
Ng Yong Muh
;
Liew Su-May
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Postpartum depression;
knowledge;
beliefs;
practice;
screening.
- From:Malaysian Family Physician
2019;14(1):18-25
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) affects 10-15% of women worldwide, and screening
is recommended by clinical guidelines. In Malaysia, nurses in maternal and child health (MCH)
clinics provide postpartum care.
Aim: To determine nurses’ level of knowledge, beliefs and practices regarding PPD and factors
associated with screening practices.
Methods: A cross-sectional study using universal sampling was conducted on nurses from seven
government MCH clinics in Malaysia. Data was collected from March until April 2016 through a
self-reported questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors
associated with having ever performed PPD screening.
Results: Of the 108 nurses, 55.6% scored above the median total knowledge score (17 out of 24
points). Despite a high proportion of nurses believing that they were responsible for PPD screening
(72.2%), counselling depressed mothers (72.2%) and referring mothers for further treatment
(87.0%), only 64.8% and 51.9% were confident in recognizing PPD and counselling depressed
mothers, respectively. Only 25.9% had ever practiced PPD screening, which was associated
with beliefs concerning screening taking too much time (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=0.13,
95% confidence interval [CI]= 0.02–0.74, P=0.022) and that screening is their responsibility
(AOR=14.12, 95%CI=1.65-120.75, P=0.016).
Conclusion: More than half of the nurses scored above the median total knowledge score and
had positive beliefs towards PPD screening. However, PPD screening practices were poor, and this
outcome was associated with their beliefs regarding time and responsibility.
- Full text:2.2018my0025.pdf
