By the Numbers - Oct. 21, 2013
42.2
The odds -- according to a study in the September issue of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center's Medical Surveillance Monthly Report -- of servicewomen with a diagnosis of postpartum depression (PPD) also being diagnosed with suicidality, compared to servicewomen without a PPD diagnosis. Among military dependent spouses with a PPD diagnosis, the odds are 14.5, compared to spouses without PPD.
According to the researchers, "(A) history of mental disorders was common among service women and dependent spouses with PPD, and, in turn, PPD was a strong predictor for suicidality in the postpartum period. These associations were most commonly found in younger age groups, but other predictors for suicidality included black, non-Hispanic race/ethnicity, Coast Guard service, and stillbirth/unknown delivery outcome." These findings "emphasize the importance of PPD screening during the postpartum period," and the researchers recommend that PPD screening begin immediately after delivery.
42.2
The odds -- according to a study in the September issue of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center's Medical Surveillance Monthly Report -- of servicewomen with a diagnosis of postpartum depression (PPD) also being diagnosed with suicidality, compared to servicewomen without a PPD diagnosis. Among military dependent spouses with a PPD diagnosis, the odds are 14.5, compared to spouses without PPD.
According to the researchers, "(A) history of mental disorders was common among service women and dependent spouses with PPD, and, in turn, PPD was a strong predictor for suicidality in the postpartum period. These associations were most commonly found in younger age groups, but other predictors for suicidality included black, non-Hispanic race/ethnicity, Coast Guard service, and stillbirth/unknown delivery outcome." These findings "emphasize the importance of PPD screening during the postpartum period," and the researchers recommend that PPD screening begin immediately after delivery.