What is the role of health visitors in the detection and management of women with postnatal depression?





ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This dissertation is an opportunity for me to extend my regards to my research supervisor, my beloved friends, and my family for their untiring support that they furnished throughout my research. I am grateful to them for their belief in me and the guidance that they provided me without which I would have never been able to work on and complete this research. It also signifies my own views and does not closely relate to the university.

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DECLARATION

I, (), would like to declare that all contents included in this study stand for my individual work without any aid, and this proposal has not been submitted for any examination at academic as well as professional level, previously. It is also represents my very own views and not essentially those that are associated with other university.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSI

DECLARATIONII

LITERATURE REVIEW1

Research Question1

Empirical Section2

Literature Search Strategy2

Critical Appraisal of the Collected and Empirical Evidence4

Summary of the Findings8

Ethical Section8

Personal and Aesthetic Sections9

Future Implications10

Conclusion11

REFERENCES12

LITERATURE REVIEW

The term post natal depression is defined as a mental illness including symptoms and signs found in the major depressive disorders, brief psychotic disorder, and bipolar disorder with the episode onset within 4 weeks after delivery (Forman et al., 2007, pp. 585). Postnatal Depression (PND) is classified as mental health condition and can be a factor in the causing high morbidity and mortality (Paulden et al, 2009, pp. 6). Various symptoms includes markedly diminished pleasure or interest, feelings of sadness, in most or all the activities, especially caring for the baby, diminished capability to concentrate, thoughts of death, helplessness, hopelessness, weight gain or loss, worthless feelings, insomnia, and fatigue (Seyfried, & Marcus, 2003, pp.231). The risk factors for the postnatal depression comprise of poor social support, previous episode of depression, current stressors, and low socioeconomic status (Horowitz et al, 2011, pp. 52). The postnatal depression outcomes can be injurious to the mother's capability to care for her child. The treatment for postnatal depression is amendable primarily consisting of some psychotherapy (For instance, cognitive behavioural therapy) (Nonacs et al, 2010, pp.273), pharmacotherapy, and antidepressant. Hence, it is essential to start the treatment early since the treatment delay is correlated to prolong episodes (BMJ, 2010).

Research Question

The PICO framework will establish the criteria needing to choose relevant studies to review systematically or define a clinical question (Wisner, Parry, Piontek, 2002, pp 194). In order to be able to formulate a question, a procedure framework was employed for defining the study founded on PICO framework. Population or patient, the intervention, comparisons and the desired outcome (PICO), Sackett et al (1997) highlights four components needed in order to formulate a clear, answerable question.

The table below shows how the PICO framework was used to assist in the formulation of the question for this project.

Population or patient

Women with postnatal depression

Intervention

supportive counselling and Use of Edinburgh

Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)

Comparison

Role of health visitors

Outcome

Detection and Management Post Natal Depression

Table ...