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- Title
Are midwives trained to recognise perinatal depression symptoms? Results of MAMA (MAternal Mood Assessment) cross-sectional survey in Italy.
- Authors
Ravaldi, Claudia; Mosconi, Laura; Crescioli, Giada; Lombardo, Giulia; Russo, Ilenia; Morese, Angelo; Ricca, Valdo; Vannacci, Alfredo
- Abstract
Purpose: To assess the knowledge, clinical experience, and attitudes of Italian midwives toward perinatal depression (PND) and to explore how these factors impact the quality of care. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey among 152 midwives employed in public hospitals across Italy. The questionnaire covered a range of topics, including demographic data, professional experience, knowledge of PND symptoms, risk factors, and clinical management, as well as communication skills and personal experiences with PND cases. Results: A concerning 76.3% of midwives displayed inadequate knowledge of PND based on current scientific literature. Those with a more comprehensive understanding were notably more confident in their practice, expressing significantly fewer apprehensions about communicating with mothers (25.8% vs 74.2%) and lesser concerns about the mothers' future well-being (38.9% vs 62.95%). The survey results also emphasised the midwives' call for specialised guidelines and formal training in PND management and underscored the value of communication skills, continuity of care, and family engagement in supporting affected mothers. Conclusion: This inaugural study sheds light on the current state of knowledge and attitudes among Italian midwives regarding PND. It pinpoints crucial areas for educational enhancement and practice improvement, suggesting that elevated levels of midwife expertise in PND could significantly elevate the standard of care and expedite early diagnosis and treatment.
- Subjects
ITALY; DIAGNOSIS of mental depression; MENTAL depression risk factors; CROSS-sectional method; PUBLIC hospitals; COMMUNICATIVE competence; MEDICAL quality control; MIDWIVES; QUESTIONNAIRES; NURSING; CONFIDENCE; PREGNANT women; CONTINUUM of care; DESCRIPTIVE statistics; WORK experience (Employment); PROFESSIONS; SURVEYS; CLINICAL competence; ATTITUDES of medical personnel; SOCIAL support; MENTAL depression; PERINATAL period; WELL-being; PSYCHOSOCIAL factors
- Publication
Archives of Women's Mental Health, 2024, Vol 27, Issue 4, p567
- ISSN
1434-1816
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s00737-024-01439-z