Publication:

The point prevalence of post-partum perinatal mental health disorders and associated psychosocial characteristics in Malta: a study protocol

Background Perinatal mental health disorders are considered to be a major public health concern, affecting approximately 20% of pregnant and postnatal women. Left untreated, maternal psychopathology can extent to the rest of the family unit, including the child. Thus, a better understanding of the overall burden of these disorders is fundamental to inform policy makers and produce practice change.  To-date, the exact prevalence of these disorders  in Malta, an island in the center of the Mediterranean Sea, remains unknown. The primary objective of this cross-sectional study will be to address this gap in knowledge and define the local prevalence of perinatal psychopathology.

Methods A representative sample of approximately 250 postnatal women from birth up to one year after childbirth, resident in Malta, will be recruited through a stratified random technique. Participation will involve two phases.  In the first stage, selected participants will be asked to self-complete the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 item (GAD-7), the Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBoCS), the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-V (PCL-5), and the Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale (DERS) questionnaires.  In the second stage, those women who score equal or above the cut-off values in any of these questionnaires, will be assessed using the diagnostic Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) to confirm or refute a diagnosis of a mental health disorder. Basic demographic details and psychosocial characteristics will be recorded.

Conclusions This study will help determine the point prevalence of postnatal perinatal psychopathology and associated psychosocial determinants in Malta.