Assessing the Association Between Socioeconomic Factors, Postpartum Depression Screening and Identification of Postpartum Depression Among Mothers in South Carolina (SC)
Abstract
Postpartum depression (PPD), a prevalent maternal mental health disorder, is associated with adverse outcomes, including impaired maternal-infant bonding, developmental delays in children, and increased maternal morbidity. This study examines the relationship between postpartum depression screening, socioeconomic factors (education, income, and insurance coverage), and postpartum depression diagnosis during postpartum checkups among mothers in South Carolina (SC). A cross-sectional study was conducted using secondary data from the 2012-2022 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS). The study population included 6,088 respondents. Approximately 90% of mothers attended a postpartum visit of those (89%) reported being screened for post-partum depression. Higher proportions of non-Hispanic White mothers were screened, 92.5%, than 85 % of non-Hispanic Black and 82% of other races/ethnicities (p<0.001). Screening was lower among those enrolled in Medicaid (84.5%) compared to private insurance (96.5%; p<0.001). Among all mothers, 13.6% were diagnosed with postpartum depression. Reported depression was higher among non-Hispanic Black mothers (17.6; p=0.001). Postpartum depression was reported among 18.6% of mothers with Medicaid as a pay source compared to 12.5% among private insurance (p=0.005). Nearly 20% of mothers under the age of 24 reported postpartum depression compared to 12.6% among older age groups (p<0.01). This shows that there is value in improving postpartum depression screening tools, and addressing socioeconomic barriers to care is essential for enhancing early detection and intervention. Future research should focus on developing targeted screening strategies and policies to reduce disparities and improve maternal and child health outcomes.
Start Time
16-4-2025 10:00 AM
End Time
16-4-2025 11:00 AM
Room Number
311
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Presentation Subtype
Grad/Comp Orals
Presentation Category
Health
Faculty Mentor
Nathan Hale
Assessing the Association Between Socioeconomic Factors, Postpartum Depression Screening and Identification of Postpartum Depression Among Mothers in South Carolina (SC)
311
Postpartum depression (PPD), a prevalent maternal mental health disorder, is associated with adverse outcomes, including impaired maternal-infant bonding, developmental delays in children, and increased maternal morbidity. This study examines the relationship between postpartum depression screening, socioeconomic factors (education, income, and insurance coverage), and postpartum depression diagnosis during postpartum checkups among mothers in South Carolina (SC). A cross-sectional study was conducted using secondary data from the 2012-2022 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS). The study population included 6,088 respondents. Approximately 90% of mothers attended a postpartum visit of those (89%) reported being screened for post-partum depression. Higher proportions of non-Hispanic White mothers were screened, 92.5%, than 85 % of non-Hispanic Black and 82% of other races/ethnicities (p<0.001). Screening was lower among those enrolled in Medicaid (84.5%) compared to private insurance (96.5%; p<0.001). Among all mothers, 13.6% were diagnosed with postpartum depression. Reported depression was higher among non-Hispanic Black mothers (17.6; p=0.001). Postpartum depression was reported among 18.6% of mothers with Medicaid as a pay source compared to 12.5% among private insurance (p=0.005). Nearly 20% of mothers under the age of 24 reported postpartum depression compared to 12.6% among older age groups (p<0.01). This shows that there is value in improving postpartum depression screening tools, and addressing socioeconomic barriers to care is essential for enhancing early detection and intervention. Future research should focus on developing targeted screening strategies and policies to reduce disparities and improve maternal and child health outcomes.