Antenatal Psychosocial Assessment and Depression Screening: What Are the Views of Women Delivering in The Private Sector?

Abstract

Psychosocial assessment including depression screening has been established and in fact mandated [2] in the public maternity sector in various states of Australia [3,4] The private sector has not established the same mandate. Researchers have sought the views of the women screened in the public sector and the majority report favourable feedback [8]. Women have rarely been similarly assessed in the private sector. Never the less, relevant programs are now being trialled [7]. During follow-up phone calls from the researcher to the study participants, the comments described here were made. Two hundred and fifty-five women were screened at their antenatal visit. They were followed up postnatally, however 40 women were lost to follow up. The majority viewed the process favourably; however, some women gave specific feedback.