Reducing maternal depression two years after birth: follow-up of a cohort within a community randomised trial

Funded Activity Summary

Maternal depression following childbirth is a significant public health issue. Previous Victorian research has found that 15-17% of women experience depression 6-9 months after birth, and of those depressed then, 30% are likely still to be depressed or depressed again two years after the birth. In 1998 16 Victorian municipalities began participating in the first ever community randomised trial of prevention and early intervention in depression - PRISM (Program of Resources, Information and Support for Mothers). PRISM involves eight areas participating in a range of primary care and community based strategies designed to mobilise appropriate community support for mothers and children with a view to reducing maternal depression and improving maternal physical health and recovery after birth. The other eight areas are participating as comparison communities. Evaluation in PRISM is assessing major health outcomes for mothers and wider community benefits (flow-on effects) of the intervention program. Process and impact evaluation has also been undertaken to document and assess the different program elements and enhance the reproducibility of the program if successful. All women giving birth in the 16 areas are currently being surveyed six months after birth (from August 2000-February 2002). Within PRISM it is now proposed to follow-up women again two years after birth, to assess the impact of the intervention program on: *recovery from depression among the group of mothers in both intervention and comparison areas who were depressed six months after birth; and *the overall prevalence of depression and physical ill-health in all mothers. This follow-up study has the capacity to provide infromation on the poorly documented natural history of maternal depression from birth through the next two years in a large sample, including both urban and rural residents.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2002

End Date: 01-01-2004

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $359,920.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Optical technology

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

community intervention study | health status | maternal mental health | postnatal depression | public health | quality of life | social determinants of health | temperament (child) | women's health

Related Links