Missed Opportunities for Postpartum Behavioral and Psychosocial Health Care and Acceptability of Screening Options.

OBJECTIVE

To examine occurrence of health care provider discussion of postpartum women's behavioral and psychosocial health, acceptability of screening, and access to a provider with whom to comfortably discuss sensitive topics.

DESIGN

Mail survey during the first postpartum year.

SETTING

Community dwelling.

PARTICIPANTS

Postpartum women (N = 168) from diverse backgrounds.

METHODS

Using vital records, we drew a random sample that was stratified on race/ethnicity and income from a Southwestern U.S. community. Potential participants were mailed a questionnaire about health care and screening in the areas of depression, diet, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol use during the postpartum period.

RESULTS

Women reported that discussion of depression most often occurred (51%) during health care encounters, and discussion of weight least often occurred (14%). More than 94% of women indicated they would "welcome" or "not mind" screenings for depression, diet, physical activity, alcohol use, or smoking at health care visits. More than 90% welcomed screening during their infants' pediatric health care visits. Most (86%) reported that screening on an electronic device at their health care visits was acceptable. Most (84%) were interested in completing a screening at home on a Web site. Also, 58% of women without health insurance compared with 24% of those with insurance indicated that they lacked a health professional with whom they could comfortably discuss sensitive topics such as depression.

CONCLUSION

Wide gaps exist in postpartum behavioral and psychosocial health care. Most women find a variety of screening settings and methods acceptable.