RESUMO
This study documents prevalence of positive depression screens at the first prenatal visit in an urban, low-income, and primarily Black population as part of initiatives to strengthen mental health services in a region with high rates of race disparities in infant and maternal mortality. We conducted a cross-sectional chart review of 500 patients, collecting demographics, medical histories, and scores of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the instrument recommended for use during pregnancy by national United States organizations. Of those with a completed EPDS (n=414), 32% screened positive (n=131). These women were more likely to have smoked (p=.02), used illicit drugs (p=.01), or had depression (p<.0001), anxiety (p=.0004), bipolar disorder (p=.02), or postpartum depression for the subgroup with prior pregnancies (p<.0001). A high percentage of patients had positive EPDS screens, highlighting the need for better integration of mental health services into prenatal care for vulnerable populations.
