Limited Primary and Secondary Prevention Strategies
Although there are valuable programs implemented to help manage and support mothers with PPD (tertiary prevention), it’s important to recognize that secondary prevention strategies currently in place are flawed and that there is no emphasis on primary prevention. VCH has implemented a PPD algorithm, where best practice is to screen for PPD using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression scale at 28-32 weeks of pregnancy and at 6-8 weeks postnatally (VCH, 2017). It also recommends targeted screening for any moms with risk factors (VCH, 2017). However, instead of following this algorithm, PHN’s screen for PPD during a home visit, at the CHC at the 4-month infant visit, and at parent-infant groups
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Because of this barrier, it is even more critical that we go to them, as suggested by reinstating home visits, and upstream prevention strategies are implemented. There are no prenatal groups in CHA4, yet literature suggests prenatal classes based on psychoeducation, stress management and coping mechanisms lead to decreased rates of PPD (Werner, Osborne, Kuzava & Monk, 2015). Furthermore, it is evident that PHNs do not play much of a role in prenatal care nationally. According to the Canadian Maternity Experiences Survey, 0.6% of women received prenatal care from nurses (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2009). PHN’s are to protect, promote and prevent, and with such a prominent health issue that affects the community at large, it is daunting that PHN’s do not offer more anticipatory guidance to expecting mothers. It would be beneficial to incorporate prenatal classes that focus on psychoeducation and perhaps recognize that these classes should be offered in the evenings when mothers, particularly the working-class older mothers are available. Kozinszky (2012) found that four brief prenatal classes focusing on PPD prevention was all that was needed to reduce PPD symptomology.
CHA4 Is Moving in the Right Direction Recently, a health education opportunity was proposed at the service level. All CHA4 PHN’s were advised to participate in a teleconference about PPD put on by
The authors discussed the need for effective treatments to address the high global rates of PPD and maternal depression up to two years after delivery (Letourneau et al., 2015, p. 1588). The research problem is the efficacy of TBPS in diminishing maternal depression up to two years postpartum (Letourneau et al., 2015, p. 1588). This problem arose due to three main factors; increased PPD and maternal depression rates, and existent theoretical frameworks about TBPS with early PPD.
Beck, C.T., Gable, R.K., (2001), Further Validation of the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale , Nurse Res; 50-155-164.
Postpartum psychiatric disorders, particularly depression, has become the most underdiagnosed complication in the United States. It can lead to increased costs of medical care, inappropriate medical care, child abuse and neglect, discontinuation of breastfeeding, and family dysfunction and adversely affects early brain development (Earls, 2010). Over 400,000 infants are born to mothers that are depressed. One of 7 new mothers (14.5%) experience depressive episodes that impair maternal role function. An episode of major or minor depression that occurs during pregnancy or the first 12 months after birth is called perinatal or postpartum depression (Wisner, Chambers & Sit, 2006). Mothers with postpartum depression experience feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that may make it difficult for them to complete daily care activities for themselves or for others (Postpartum Depression). The six stages of postpartum are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance and PTSD. These stages may affect any women regardless of age, race, ethnicity, or economic status. However only a physician can diagnose a woman with postpartum depression. It does not occur because of something a mother does or does not do, it’s a combination of physical and emotional factors. After childbirth, the levels of hormones in a woman’s body quickly drop; which may lead to chemical changes in her brain (Postpartum Depression). Unbalanced hormones may trigger mood swings.
The birthing process generally leaves women with overwhelming joy and happiness. However, some women do experience a period of postpartum blues lasting for a few days or at most a couple of weeks but goes away with the adjustment of having a baby (Postpartum Depression, 2013). A condition called Postpartum Depression Disorder (PPD) leaves a dark gray cloud over 10-20% of woman after birth that is recognized in individuals 3 weeks to a year after the delivery of their baby (Bobo & Yawn, 2014). PPD leaves new mothers feeling lonely, anxious, and hopeless (Bobo at el, 2014). Postpartum Depression is a cross cutting disorder that can affect any woman after the delivery of a baby regardless of race, socioeconomic status, age, or education level (Postpartum Depression, 2013). Although this disorder affects more than 10% of women the article Concise Review for Physicians and Other Clinicians: Postpartum Depression reports that less than half of women with PPD are actually diagnosed with this condition (Bobo at el, 2014). It is important that postpartum women and their support systems receive education on what PPD consist of and ways to recognize the signs and symptoms of PPD so that a diagnosis is not overlooked. Early diagnosis is important because early recognition and treatment of the disorder yields for better results when treating individuals with PPD. In this paper I will deliver information about PPD based on recent literature,
Postpartum depression (PPD) affects at least 10-20% of new mothers. However, the true incidence may be much higher due to the fact that screening is not considered to be a standard practice, leaving PPD undetected and untreated in many women (Schaar & Hall, 2014). Postpartum depression not only negatively affects the mother; it also has a negative impact on the infant. For this reason, it is important for the health care providers caring for pregnant and postpartum mothers to screen them for risk factors associated with PPD, as well as educate them on ways to lessen their chances of getting PPD. It is also important for the health care providers to screen for PPD with a standardized tool like the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and to take action in treating it when it is suspected or diagnosed.
As mental health in America is finally being addressed and more research is seen, it is important to look at the potential causes or correlations that lead to common diagnoses for patients. According to Brummelte and Galea (2010), “depression affects approximately 1 in 5 people, with the incidence being 2-3x higher in women than in men.” Postpartum depression (PPD), a subset of this debilitating disease, has an estimated prevalence rate of 13-19% with another estimated 50% that are undiagnosed (O’hara and McCabe, 2013). As a whole, it has the same symptoms as major depressive disorder but diagnosis occurs within 0-4 weeks of giving birth (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Part of this lack of diagnosis is due to a multitude of healthcare
Society must realize postpartum depression is treatable and manageable. Depression of any kind is a serious illness that requires not only further study, but a shift in thinking so it is less misunderstood and more widely recognized. Early identification of PPD symptoms must be increased in order to alleviate the tremendous burden this illness causes on families and new mothers and while current diagnosis practices are expanding to include earlier identification and increasing successful treatment, it is critical that the medical community work together to expand and add to the prevention of postpartum depression. In conjunction with a greater tolerance and understanding of this mostly hidden disease, perhaps depression will no longer be such a hidden and misunderstood mental
According to two recent studies, 7-13% of all postpartum women suffer from depression. Even more alarming, the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) in mothers who have pre-term infants rises to 30-40% according to a recent review (Robertson E, Grace S, Wallington T, Stewart DE., 2004; Schmied V, Johnson M, Naidoo N, et al., 2013). Mood and anxiety disorders, specifically PPD, are severe, yet common complications in women of reproductive age. Undertreated depression in postpartum women is associated with health risks for both the mother and infant, making the goal of euthymia a top priority in the care of postpartum women. Current practice regarding PPD focuses on the triad approach of early detection and prevention, the use of pharmacotherapy, and the use of psychotherapy. However, the treatment of mental illness during pregnancy requires weighing the benefits of pharmacological treatment for the mother, to the risk of the medications on the growth and development of the fetus as well as the theoretical risks associated with undertreated depression. However, many studies are showing that the risks of postpartum depression to both the mother and infant significantly outweigh the risks of pharmacological treatment during pregnancy. Also, due to the ethical issues surrounding trials of pharmacotherapy during pregnancy, further research to determine evidenced-based methods of treatment are still necessary. The most important intervention to date is a
42). The stress of caring for a newborn or even the circumstances surrounding labor and delivery may cause the first symptoms of PPD. Initial stressors related to labor, delivery, and bringing the baby home give way to new triggers (Dieta et al., 2007, 1516). Infant temperament can intensify or minimize a new mother’s PPD symptoms depending on the child’s sleep patterns, frequency of crying, being easygoing or demanding, and whether or not baby is socially reinforcing with smiles and coos (Perfetti et al., 2004, p. 57). Increasing guilt, overwhelmed feelings by child care responsibilities, and fear of being unable to cope can cause the mother to show less affection to her baby, and be less responsive to his cries (Kabir, 2006, p. 698). The infants in turn tend to be fussier and distant making less positive facial expressions and vocalizations (Beck C., 2006, p. 42). Hostile effects on the child continue throughout the first year after birth, but PPD places children of all ages at risk for impaired cognitive and emotional development as well as psychopathology (Beck C., 2006, p. 42).
Postpartum depression (PPD) affects about eighty-five percent of new mothers and persists as long as a year after childbirth (Texas Medical Association, 2015). In spite of the scope of this problem and the benefits of screening women, it’s not standard procedure (New York State Department Of Health, 2016). This policy brief was written for healthcare providers that treat new mothers at risk for PPD with the goal of improving screening and the number of women receiving appropriate treatment. The recommendations address measures to improve early identification and follow-up care for women found to have PPD.
Our citation for the systematic review is APA . The researchers in this review are looking at home based interventions for post partum depression because of the numerous in home programs that are now established for mothers for prenatal care or before they give birth (Leis, Mendelson, Tandon, & Perry, 2009). Post partum depression is a form of depression new mothers can be affected by after giving birth; this makes them less likely to demonstrate active care and affection for newborns. Most women do spontaneously recover from this kind of depression. Many people will not seek out treatment for depression or mental disorders which is a reason for in home programs. Detection and treatment for depression to new mothers is a problem area still. Families that are low income are often high risk and cannot afford outside treatment due to many barriers such as affordability and transportation.
In this paper the subject to discuss is the prevention and mitigation analysis of the Arizona Department of Correction’s Morey Unit hostage situation. This incident was very terrible in the United States history in escapes made from prisons. In Buckeye, Arizona at the Lewis Prison Correction facility in the Morey, on January 18, 2004, Ricky Wassenaar and Steven Coy made an attempt to escape from the unit by taking two correctional officers hostage and took over Morey’s unit tower, causing a 15-day hostage and standoff incident. The following discussion is an analysis of issues, prevention, and mitigation recommendations for future incidents aiming at fiscal, operational, and administrative problems
Intervention 3: Inform the mother that there are antidepressants she can be prescribed that are safe for breastfeeding if needed. Also provide phone numbers and websites to the mother of support groups she can contact to find help for PPD (McKinney, James, Murray, Nelson, & Ashwill, 2013, p. 685,
Sword, Busser, Ganann, McMillan, & Swinton (2008) questioned women’s experiences in regards to seeking care for probable postpartum depression (PPD) following a referral from the visiting public health nurse. Questions the researchers sought to answer included the woman’s response for a referral, factors that hindered or facilitated seeking care, the experience of seeking care, and responses to the interventions. The study uses a qualitative descriptive design the “method of choice for describing phenomena.” The study sample consisted of new mothers (n=18) discovered through the Healthy Babies, Healthy Children initiative who accepted a visit from the public health nurse.
Public health is a dynamic field of medicine that is concerned primarily with improving the health of populations rather than just the health of individuals. Winslow (1920) defined public health as;