Screening for postnatal depression in routine primary care: Properties of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale in an Australian sample

Abstract

Objectives: First, to explore the utility of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) in routine primary care through a large community screening program. Next, to compare administration of a second EPDS versus the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) in identifying postnatal depression in the prescreened population. Method: Screening with the EPDS through Maternal and Child Health Centres at 4 months post-partum. Women scoring ≥12 were assessed against DSM-IV criteria and completed a BDI and a second EPDS. These data were subjected to receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses. Results: Of 4148 screened, 533 (12.8%) scored ≥12. Of these, 344 wer e assessed against DSM-IV criteria: 1..