Predictors of Prenatal Care (PNC) Screening for Depression: Preliminary results from the Los Angeles Mommy and Baby (LAMB) Project, 2007

Background: Depression during pregnancy is a prevalent and serious problem. We aim to investigate demographic and system level factors related to provider behavior in discussing maternal depression and anxiety at prenatal care visits in Los Angeles County. Methods: LAMB is a population-based survey with multi-level clustered sampling and an over-sample of low birth weight and pre-term births. Questions related to depression screening during pregnancy include: did your provider ask you if you felt anxious or depressed during your PNC visits. Chi-square tests were used to evaluate differences between groups in the occurrence of screening and logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with depression screening during pregnancy while controlling for important confounders. Results: Data presented are from the 2007 LAMB survey (N=6,264). Forty-nine percent of White women, 65% of Latinos, 66% of African Americans, and 49% of Asians reported being screened for depression/anxiety at a PNC visit, (p<0.001). In multivariate models African American and Hispanic women were significantly more likely to be screened at PNC visits compared to White women (aOR 1.78 CI 1.42, 2.21 and aOR 1.54 CI 1.31, 1.82, respectively). Less educated women were more likely to be screened (aOR 1.60 CI 1.33, 1.93), but women who experienced depression/anxiety before pregnancy (21%) were no more likely to be screened. Contrary to expectations insurance type had no impact on PNC depression screening rates. Conclusion: Women's demographic factors impact the likelihood of PNC depression screening. Providers should work to educate and screen all women for depression during pregnancy.