Psychological and Pharmacological Care for Postpartum Depression and Postpartum PTSD in Russia: Socio-Economic Factors

Abstract

<p><strong>Aim.</strong> This study examined socio-economic factors and their relationship to access to professional care (pharmaceutical and psychological), as well as the relationship between the presence/absence of psychological and pharmacological care and the severity of symptoms of postpartum depression (PD) and PTSD after childbirth. <strong>Materials and methods</strong>. The study involved 2,574 women aged 18&ndash;43 years (M=31,03, SD=4,29) who gave birth to one or more children during the 12 months preceding the survey. Depression was assessed using the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale [11] in Yakupova's adaptation [35]. Postpartum PTSD was assessed using the City Birth Trauma Scale [8] in Yakupova's adaptation [2]. In addition, socio-demographic data were collected (education level, income level, family status, place of residence), information about previously diagnosed and current mental health problems, and the types of assistance received. <strong>Results and conclusions.</strong> The data obtained show that only a small percentage of women with severe symptoms of postpartum depression and postpartum PTSD seek psychological or pharmacological help (11% and 9.3%, respectively). Socio-economic factors such as higher education, higher economic status, residence in Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as the presence of a spouse are associated with a rarer manifestation of PD and PTSD after childbirth and more frequent seeking psychological and pharmacological help. In Russia, there is an urgent issue of informing about postpartum mood disorders, their diagnosis, as well as the issue of access to professional help.</p>