Overview
The purpose of this observational study is to improve understanding of mental disorders among perinatal women in India.
Description
The purpose of this observational study is to assess the mental health of perinatal women living in two low-income settings in India. The first phase will explore women's awareness of mental illness and acceptability of screening for mental disorders. The second phase will be a validation study, during which the psychometric properties of screening tools will be assessed against a gold standard. The third stage will comprise a cohort study, during which the prevalence of and risk factors for mental disorders among perinatal and non-perinatal women will be established.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
For Phase 1 (qualitative study) and Phase 2 (validation study):
Pregnant women:
- Aged 18 to 45 years
- Currently pregnant (any trimester)
- Willing and able to give informed consent
Post-partum women:
- Aged 18 to 45 years
- Currently post-partum (between 1-12 months postpartum)
- Willing and able to give informed consent
Non-perinatal women:
- Aged 18 to 45 years
- Not currently pregnant and not given birth in the past 12 months
- Willing and able to give informed consent
For Phase 3 (prospective cohort study):
Perinatal women:
- Aged 18 to 45 years
- In early pregnancy (estimated gestational age <20 weeks) at recruitment
- Not planning to relocate for the duration of the study period
- Willing and able to give informed consent
- Expressed a willingness to continue to participate for the four planned visits
Non-perinatal women:
- Aged 18 to 45 years
- Not currently pregnant and not given birth in the last 12 months
- Not planning to relocate for the duration of the study period
- Willing and able to give informed consent
- Expressed a willingness to continue to participate for the four planned visits
Exclusion Criteria:
The participant may not enter the study if:
- They have an acutely severe psychiatric illness which impairs their ability to take part in the study
- They are not willing or able to provide informed consent
Other than for current severe psychiatric illness which affects ability to participate in
the study, we will not exclude any participant on the basis of current or prior physical,
psychological or psychiatric co-morbidities so long as she is willing to participate, her
ability to take part is not compromised and her ability to give informed consent is not
impaired by these conditions.