Acceptability and feasibility of a screening protocol for antenatal depression (SPADe) in Blantyre District, Malawi

Abstract

Depression is one of the most common perinatal mental health problems that afect pregnant women. Antenatal depression can adversely afect the well-being of the pregnant woman and her foetus. Depression is rarely detected by midwives due to the unavailability of relevant screening instruments in Malawi. A Screening Pro‑ tocol for Antenatal Depression (SPADe) was developed and recommended for possible use to screen for depression in antenatal clinics in the country. The acceptability and feasibility of using the SPADe protocol to screen for depression has not been established. The aim of this study was to assess the acceptability and feasibility of screening for depres‑ sion by midwives using SPADe in antenatal clinics in Blantyre district.

Description

Keywords

Antenatal depression, Midwives, Nursing, Malawi, Mental health

Citation

Chorwe‑Sungani, G. et al. (2022). Acceptability and feasibility of a screening protocol for antenatal depression (SPADe) in Blantyre District, Malawi. BMC Psychiatry, 22(1), 544. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-022-04195-5