Diagnostic Accuracy of the Stepped Screening Protocol and Its Screening Tools in the Perinatal Period.

Launched by UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, GHENT · Jul 17, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at how well certain questionnaires can identify mental health issues, like depression and anxiety, in women during pregnancy or in the first few months after giving birth. It’s important to catch these problems early, as many women experience psychological difficulties during this time, but a lot of them go unrecognized. The study aims to see if these screening tools can accurately tell who needs help and ensure that women get the care they need.

To participate, women must be at least 18 years old, either in the 20th to 24th week of their pregnancy or 6 to 10 weeks after giving birth, and they should speak Dutch. Participants will fill out some questionnaires about their mental health and then may be invited for a follow-up phone interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist. This interview will help gather more information about their mental well-being without the interviewer knowing the questionnaire results, ensuring a fair assessment. The findings could lead to better support for future mothers, making mental health screenings a standard part of prenatal and postnatal care.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 18 years or older, antenatal period (20-24 th week of pregnancy) or postnatal period (6 to 10 weeks after birth) and Dutch-speaking.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • \<18 years, non-Dutch speaking and outside the above mentioned period.