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Improving Patient Knowledge of Postpartum Depression Through an Educational Awareness Campaign

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Abstract
Background: In the United States, postpartum depression (PPD) affects approximately one in eight mothers. More than half of those affected do not receive treatment for PPD (Bauman et al., 2020). If left untreated, PPD can result in lasting consequences including impaired bonding between mother and child, impaired cognitive, social, and language development in the child, and increased risk for developing chronic mental illness in mothers (May & Kennedy, 2019). Purpose: This DNP project aimed to improve knowledge of PPD amongst pregnant and postpartum individuals. Methods: A pre- and post-survey design was used to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. The educational intervention included posters, pamphlets, and handouts. Surveys were administered to obtain information about pregnant and postpartum individuals’ knowledge and awareness of PPD before and after the intervention. Results: 73 pre-intervention surveys and 67 post-intervention surveys were collected. There was a significant difference in means for question two and five (How familiar are you with the treatment options for postpartum depression? How satisfied are you with the resources available at the office regarding postpartum depression?). There was no significant difference in means for questions one, three and four (How familiar are you with the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression? How comfortable are you with seeking out mental health care as needed? How supported do you feel by your healthcare team regarding your mental health?). There was no association found between age or education and the survey question responses. Conclusion: The use of an education based PPD awareness campaign was positively associated with an improvement in patient knowledge of PPD treatment and satisfaction with available resources at the clinic. Patient education should continue to be explored as a viable option to improve PPD treatment through increasing patient knowledge.
Type
Capstone Project
Date
2024-05
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Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
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