| Sub-title | |
| Authors | E Felice J Saliba J Cox |
| Abstract | Background: The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was developed specifically for use with childbearing women as a screening questionnaire to identify possible depression in a clinical setting and also fro research purposes. Aims: To validate the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (Maltese version) during pregnancy and at eight weeks postpartum in Maltese women. Method: 239 pregnant women, booking at the antenatal clinic were selected at random for interviewing. The first interview at booking consisted of a detailed sociodemographic history and the Revised version of the Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R) together with scoring of the Maltese translated Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. A home visit was performed at 8-10 weeks postnatally. Results: The translated EPDS had good face validity. The mean EPDS was sensitive to the severity of the depression. During pregnancy the 13/14 cut off is recommended with a sensitivity of 75%, specificity of 96% and a positive predictive value of 75%. In the postnatal validation, 11/12 cut off is recommended with a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 97%. Conclusions: The EPDS was acceptable to women and completed without difficulty. |
Published in: | |
| Journal | Malta Medical Journal |
| Volume | 15 Issue 1-2/suppl. 2003 |
| Pages | - |
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| Key words | validation, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) |