PRISM (Program of Resources, Information and Support for Mothers): a community-randomised trial to reduce depression and improve women's physical health six months after birth [ISRCTN03464021]

Judith Lumley¹ , Lyndsey Watson¹ , Rhonda Small¹ , Stephanie Brown¹ , Creina Mitchell² and Jane Gunn³

¹Mother and Child Health Research, La Trobe University, 251 Faraday St, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia

²School of Nursing and Midwifery, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia

³Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne,200 Berkeley StMelbourne, Victoria 3053, Australia

author email corresponding author email

BMC Public Health 2006, 6:37doi:10.1186/1471-2458-6-37


Published:	17 February 2006

Abstract

Background

In the year after birth one in six women has a depressive illness, 94% experience at least one major health problem (e.g. back pain, perineal pain, mastitis, urinary or faecal incontinence), 26% experience sexual problems and almost 20% have relationship problems with partners. Women with depression report less practical and emotional support from partners, less social support, more negative life events, and poorer physical health and see factors contributing to depression as lack of support, isolation, exhaustion and physical health problems. Fewer than one in three seek help in primary care despite frequent health care contacts.

Methods

Primary care and community-based strategies embedded in existing services were implemented in a cluster-randomised trial involving 16 rural and metropolitan communities, pair-matched, within the State of Victoria, Australia. Intervention areas were also provided with a community development officer for two years. The primary aim was to reduce the relative risk of depression by 20% in mothers six months after birth and to improve their physical health. Primary outcomes were obtained by postal questionnaires. The analysis was by intention-to-treat, unmatched, adjusting for the correlated nature of the data.

Results

6,248 of 10,144 women (61.6%) in the intervention arm and 5057/ 8,411 (60.1%) in the comparison arm responded at six months, and there was no imbalance in major covariates between the two arms. Women's mental health scores were not significantly different in the intervention arm and the comparison arm (MCS mean score 45.98 and 46.30, mean EPDS score 6.91 and 6.82, EPDS ≥ 13 ('probable depression') 15.7% vs. 14.9%, Odds ratio_adj1.06 (95%CI 0.91–1.24). Women's physical health scores were not significantly different in intervention and comparison arms (PCS mean scores 52.86 and 52.88).

Conclusion

The combined community and primary care interventions were not effective in reducing depression, or in improving the physical health of mothers six months after birth.