Lega, Ilaria, Mastroeni, Simona, Ferraro, Claudia, Bauer, Annette 
ORCID: 0000-0001-5156-1631, Bucciarelli, Mauro, Andreozzi, Silvia, Pizzi, Enrica and Donati, Serena
(2024)
Perinatal mental health care in the Italian Mental Health Departments: a national survey.
European Psychiatry.
ISSN 0924-9338
Abstract
Background Evidence on the negative outcomes of untreated mental disorders during pregnancy and in the first year after childbirth on women and children's health has stimulated interest in how to develop and sustain high-quality mental health care during the perinatal period. In Italy, there is a lack of knowledge about how mental health services support women with perinatal mental disorders (PMDs). This study aims to describe the adoption of good practices for the prevention and care of PMDs by the Italian Mental Health Departments (MHDs). Methods This is a nationwide cross-sectional survey conducted online using LimeSurvey. Starting from the Ministry of Health Registry 127 MHDs were invited to participate between February and March 2023. Characteristics of the participating MHDs were reported as descriptive statistics. Results One hundred and nineteen MHDs participated, with a response rate of 93.7%. Regarding the prevention of PMDs, 69 (58.0%) MHDs offer preconception counselling, whereas only 6 (5.0%) have information material for this purpose. Written integrated care pathways for PMDs are not available in 94 (79.7%) MHDs. A reference professional for psychopharmacological treatment during pregnancy or breastfeeding is available in 55 (46.2%) MHDs while a specific treatment plan for women with PMDs is adopted by 27 (22.7%) MHDs. Thirty-four (28.6%) MHDs have established an outpatient clinic for PMDs, whereas there are no inpatient psychiatric facilities designed for mothers and infants (Mother-baby Units). Conclusions There is a need to improve the care of women with PMDs in Italy. The provision of pre- conception counselling, integrated care pathways and specialist skills and facilities for PMDs should be prioritised.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Official URL: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/european-p... |
| Additional Information: | © 2024 The Authors |
| Divisions: | Personal Social Services Research Unit |
| Subjects: | R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine R Medicine > RG Gynecology and obstetrics |
| Date Deposited: | 10 Jun 2024 12:06 |
| Last Modified: | 16 Jul 2024 00:06 |
| URI: | http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/123820 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
