Postpartum Depression Detection: Concept Analysis

Abstract

Postpartum depression is one of the health problems that may occur without being recognized which may lead to a serious adverse effect for mother and her child. Postpartum depression remain underestimated and unrecognized as many women are discharged without being detected as having PPD or even uneducated in order to seek for help when needed. Postpartum depression has a negative impact on both mother and the child wellbeing. Early detection is essential for mothers’ and infants’ safety. Postpartum depression is defined as “a disorder that is often unrecognized and undertreated”. The aim of this paper is to go through an analysis for postpartum depression detection and get a clear picture about the definition, attributes, antecedents, consequences and its empirical References. Method: a review of the literature was conducted. Articles from 2013 to 2020 were included. Walker and Avant framework was used for concept analysis. Results: the search have found four attributes: time, risk factors, symptoms, and outcome. Also, the search have found the following antecedents: knowledge, screening and care. The consequences are access to mental health care and drawing the treatment line process. Conclusion: this analysis will help in discovering the suitable methods for detecting the postpartum depression to achieve high quality care for mothers and infants.