Validation of the EPDS

Validation of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) as a Screening Tool to Identify Postnatal Depression in Samoan & Tongan Women (Researchers: Bettina Ikenasio-Thorpe, Sara Weeks, Siale Foliaki, Jesse Kokaua, Alec Ekeroma)

• Postnatal depression (PND) is an important and major health issue because of its adverse impacts on the wellbeing of mothers, spouse/partners, spouse/partner relationships and children. In New Zealand, PND is reported in the prevalence rate range of 7.8-16% [1-3], however Tongan women prevail at 30.9% and Samoan women at 7.6% [4]. Clearly these high prevalence rates of PND particularly in Tongan women, is of alarming concern. In NZ as well as in Pacific populations, the validity and reliability of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) has not been established. It is recommended the EPDS have satisfactory reliability and validity in different ethnic populations [5]. The research team have been undertaking validity and reliability investigations of the EPDS against the fully-structured WHO composite international diagnostic interview (CIDI) assessment of mental disorders, in Samoan and Tongan women who delivered live-births at Middlemore Hospital.

1. Thio, I.M., et al., Postnatal depressive symptoms go largely untreated: a probability study in urban New Zealand. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol, 2006. 41(10): p. 814-8.

2.  McGill, H., et al., Postnatal depression: a Christchurch study. N Z Med J, 1995. 108(999): p. 162-5.

3. Webster, M.L., et al., Postnatal depression in a community cohort. Aust N Z J Psychiatry, 1994. 28(1): p. 42-9.

4. Abbott, M.W. and M.M. Williams, Postnatal depressive symptoms among Pacific mothers in Auckland: prevalence and risk factors. Aust N Z J Psychiatry, 2006. 40(3): p. 230-8.

5. Cox, J.L., J.M. Holden, and R. Sagovsky, Detection of postnatal depression. Development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Br J Psychiatry, 1987. 150: p. 782-6.