The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #41979

Cynthia A. Loveland Cook, PhD¹, Louise H. Flick, RN, DrPH², Sharon M. Homan, PhD³, Claudia Campbell, PhD⁴, Maryellen McSweeney, PhD⁵, Mary Elizabeth Gallagher, PhD⁶, and Lisa Parnell, MSW⁶. (1) School of Social Service, Saint Louis University, 3550 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103, 314-997-2721, cookca@slu.edu, (2) Schools of Nursing and Public Health, St. Louis University, 3525 Caroline Mall, St. Louis, MO 63104, (3) School of Public Health, St. Louis University, 3545 Lafayette, St. Louis, MO 63104, (4) School of Public Health, Saint Louis University, 3545 Layfayette, St. Louis, MO 63104, (5) School of Nursing, St. Louis University, 3525 Caroline Mall, St. Louis, MO 63104, (6) School of Social Service, St. Louis University, 3550 Lindell Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63103

Recent research suggests that pregnant women with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be at higher risk for obstetric complications. Speculating that behavioral and biological changes accompanying PTSD directly affect childbearing, preventive mental health screening and treatment for PTSD is recommended during pregnancy and even before conception. Our longitudinal study makes a significant contribution to this earlier research through its investigation of the prevalence of untreated PTSD in a community sample of 749 economically disadvantaged pregnant women stratified by urban/rural residence and race. Using a standardized interview (DIS-IV) to determine the prevalence of 19 psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, 29% reported one or more psychiatric disorders in the past year. Of these diagnoses, PTSD was the second most common with 7.3% having met its diagnostic criteria. Few pregnant women with any psychiatric disorder report ever receiving mental health treatment (25%). Nineteen percent wanted treatment, but did not receive it, and the remainder did not seek treatment at all. This presentation offers an in-depth overview of findings on PTSD in pregnancy, including the traumatic events associated with this diagnosis, risk factors for PTSD and mental health treatment models for this special population.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participants will be able to

• Describe the prevalence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)in economically disadvantaged pregnant women.
• Articulate the proportion of pregnant women with untreated PTSD.
• Discuss the risk factors associated with having PTSD during pregnancy.
• Define models of mental health treatment in prenatal care clinics and offices that contribute to the birth of healthy babies.

Keywords: Mental Illness, Pregnancy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.