POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION - HOW MUCH DO OBSTETRIC NURSES AND OBSTETRICIANS KNOW

Postpartum depression affects 10 to 15 percent of all mothers. A study of 725 obstetric nurses and 204 obstetricians was conducted using a r eliable two-factor scale to measure their knowledge and awareness of p ostpartum depression. Nurses were more aware than physicians of the em otional impact of postpartum depression. Nurses who demonstrated more empathy and who believed education of postpartum depression does not i ncrease a mother's risk were more aware of the postpartum phenomenon t han nurses who were less empathic and who did not hold the same belief . Younger and women physicians recognized the psychosocial antecedents to postpartum depression to a greater degree than did older and men p hysicians. These findings offer potential use in the training of perin atal health care professionals and in the education of pregnant women about postpartum depression.