Preventing postpartum depression using an educational video on infant crying. (30th September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Doi, S; Fujiwara, T; Isumi, A; Nakai, A; Ogita, K; Mitsuda, N
• Is Part Of: European journal of public health. Volume 30(2020)Supplement 5
• Publication Date: 2020-09-30
• Subjects: Epidemiology -- Europe -- Periodicals; Public health -- Europe -- Periodicals; 362.109405
• DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.558
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1101-1262

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Perception of and reactive behaviors towards infant crying is one of the modifiable risk factors for postpartum depression. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of watching an educational video on infant crying within 1 week of age after delivery at maternity wards to reduce the prevalence of postpartum depressive symptoms at 1 month after giving birth. Methods: Study design was a cluster randomized controlled trial (UMIN000015558). The intervention hospitals were randomly assigned, stratified by area and function of the hospital. Participants included 47 obstetrics hospitals or clinics out of 150 hospitals or clinics in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. In total, 44 hospitals or clinics completed the trial and 2, 601 (intervention group=1, 040, control group=1, 561) caregivers responded to the questionnaire on postpartum depression. Mothers in the intervention group watched a 11-minute educational video, within 1 week of age, during hospitalization at maternity wards. Primary outcome in this study was postpartum depression assessed by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale as 9+, and assessed via questionnaire at a 1-month health checkup. Results: In the intervention group, 142 (13.7%) mothers reported postpartum depression compared to 250 (16.0%) in the control group. Intention-to-treat analysis showed no significant difference in the prevalence of postpartum depression between the groups. However, among young mothers (<25 years old), the analysis showed a 67% reduction in postpartum depression (OR:0.33, 95%CI:0.15-0.72). Conclusions: Watching an educational video on infant crying did not reduce postpartum depression at 1 month after giving birth, but it was effective for young mothers aged less than 25 years old. It may be easier to introduce our approach to any opportunity for meeting mothers during perinatal period because it does not require specialized manpower and a significant amount of time for the intervention. Key messages: The educational video on infant crying, "Baby Doesn't Stop Crying, " had no effect in preventing postpartum depressive symptoms. Among young mothers aged <25 years, the educational video had a protective effect on postpartum depressive symptoms, which was not observed for mothers aged ≥25 years.