Approach to perinatal mental health and child abuse prevention in Japanese prefectural health centers

Abstract

The aim of this study was to conduct a nationwide survey in Japan of prefectural health centers, which were responsible for providing guidance to municipalities. The survey was performed in order to clarify the following issues: 1) the current level of support provided by prefectural centers for pre-and post-natal mental health; 2) the structures in place for providing consultation services for an "unwanted pregnancy" and the support available for high-risk cases; and 3) the advice available on postpartum maternal psychological screening, and interpretation of results of such screening. Questionnaires were sent by post to 394 prefectural health centers, of which 277 (70.3%) responded. A total of 32% of prefectural health centers confirmed that they had offered support to high-risk cases during pregnancy, and 72% had offered support post-partum. Regarding offering support to high-risk mothers, those prefectural health centers that did provide consultation services (n = 59) reported providing introductions and information about available facilities (P < 0.001) and conducting case conferences (P < 0.002). This was significantly different than prefectural health centers that did not provide consultation services (n = 198). At the prefectural health centers that "follow up on" the results of the mental health screening, psychiatry consultations were reported twice as often as the prefectural health centers that did "not follow up on" the results of mental health screening. These findings indicate that childcare support systems for postpartum mental health and the prevention of child abuse were established. However, the lack of prenatal health and support systems for the prenatal period remains an issue.

Paternal postnatal depression in Japan: an investigation of correlated factors including relationship with a partner

“…When dealing with maternal depression, it is important to consider the possibility that fathers are not able to fully provide support to mothers and might also need some support. In Japan, there are reports of delayed action regarding perinatal mental health in regional central hospitals that receive pregnant women with psychiatric problems [ 34 ]. Since proper child-rearing is a social responsibility, it is necessary to build better support systems that provide aid to both mothers and fathers after childbirth.…”

The Japanese version of the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire: Examination of the reliability, validity, and scale structure

“…During the second and third analyses, two (items 5, 25) and three (items 1,11,22) items were deleted, respectively. At the fourth and final examination, four factors consisting of 14 items remained ( Table 7).…”

“…The number of reports increases annually, so perinatal health care providers are exploring the tool of contributing to perinatal mental health and child abuse prevention [21,22]. The PBQ could be useful in assessing a mother's emotional feelings toward her baby in clinical situations.…”

Measuring the risk factors for postpartum depression: development of the Japanese version of the Postpartum Depression Predictors Inventory-Revised (PDPI-R-J)

“…Our previous research has revealed evidence that in Japan, only 15% of hospitals perform maternal depression screening during the perinatal period; furthermore, only 9% of Japanese hospitals administer depression screening during the antenatal period [27]. In contrast, in the United States, 47% of women were screened for maternal depression during their prenatal visits [28].…”