Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine the rate of depressive symptoms experienced by new obstetrical patients and any differences between pregnant active duty service members and military dependent wives. The study looked at the deployment status of the patient's spouse at the time of the survey as a possible risk factor for depression. The study included an analysis of Survey Question 10, concerning thoughts of harming self or child. Methodology: As part of their initial obstetrical visit at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton (NHCP), patients were asked to complete a Perinatal Screening Survey (PSS), based on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The PSS contained an additional question concerning spouse's deployment status. The survey was entered into a secure computer database. This study analyzed the archival data from 2008, with one survey per patient only. Findings: Active duty members had higher rates of depression than military dependent wives (12% vs. 7%). However, both groups' scores were within the range of EPDS scores for the nonmilitary community. Not applicable/no deployment planned responses had the highest percentage of positive scores for symptoms of depression. The individual questions on the survey produced similar results for active duty members and military dependent wives, including Question 10 (3% from each group screened positive). Deployment did not impact scores for Survey Question 10. Conclusions: Military life and deployment did not produce higher PSS scores for the population being served by NHCP as compared with the nonmilitary community. However, higher scores were reported in some studies conducted at other military treatment facilities. The PSS raised awareness of perinatal mood disorders and led to the development of an additional support program for pregnant and parenting women. Recommendations: Archival data should be analyzed to compare different survey years and survey time periods; future survey data should be utilized to determine which follow-up services offered to the identified at-risk population offer the most effective treatments; length and number of deployments should be studied for impact on depression screening scores; the Moms in Transition support group should be studied for effectiveness in reducing symptoms of depression and increasing coping skills.