Policy Impacts of the Australian National Perinatal Depression Initiative: Psychiatric Admission in the First Postnatal Year

Adm Policy Ment Health. 2019 May;46(3):277-287. doi: 10.1007/s10488-018-0911-9.

Abstract

This paper helps to quantify the impact of the Australian National Perinatal Depression Initiative (NPDI) on postnatal inpatient psychiatric hospitalisation. Based on individual hospital admissions data from New South Wales and Western Australia, we found that the NPDI reduced inpatient psychiatric hospital admission by up to 50% [0.9% point reduction (95% CI 0.70-1.22)] in the first postnatal year. The greatest reduction was observed for adjustment disorders. The NPDI appears to be associated with fewer post-birth psychiatric disorders hospital admissions; this suggests earlier detection of psychiatric disorders resulting in early care of women at risk during their perinatal period.

Keywords: Depression; Perinatal depression initiative; Policy analysis; Psychiatric disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Australia
  • Depression, Postpartum / diagnosis
  • Depression, Postpartum / therapy
  • Female
  • Hospitalization / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Medical History Taking
  • Mental Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Mental Disorders / epidemiology
  • Mental Disorders / therapy*
  • Mental Health
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy Complications / therapy*
  • Prenatal Care / organization & administration
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Young Adult