Research Proposal
Use of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPNDS) with mothers of different cultural backgrounds within Butetown in Cardiff
Introduction
Specialist Community Public Health Nurses (SCPHN) are increasingly expected to adopt evidence based practice, utilising research findings to base actions and decisions on that are clinically appropriate, cost effective and result in positive outcomes for clients (Polit and Beck, 2004). Through implementing research based evidence into practice and evaluating its effects, the SCPHN is able to meet standards of proficiency and improve client care (NMC, 2004; Robothom and Frost, 2005).
Some women have a much more severe change in mood after the birth of their child and may be assessed as experiencing postnatal depression (PND). The symptoms of (PND) may include anxiety, depressed mood, lack of interest or pleasure in activities, changes in appetite, sleep dysregulation, agitation, irritability, fatigue, malaise, feeling worthless or guilty, unable to concentrate or make decisions as well as thoughts of death and suicide (Driscoll, 2006). The condition is often assessed by a health visitor using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPNDS) (Appendix 1). A number of studies indicate that 10-15 per cent of new mothers will experience PND (Chung et al, 2008).
A health visitor sees the mother at home and has a preventive role in relation to both maternal and child health. Women routinely have a postnatal check at 6 weeks and 7 ½ months review where the EPNDS would be undertaken. The items on the EPNDS are scored on a 4 point scale from 0 to 3, with the total score ranging from 0 to 30, a woman scoring 12 or higher needs to be referred to a mental health clinician for further assessment (Driscoll, 2006).
The EPNDS has been widely used to assess maternal depression following childbirth in a range of