Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify the current state of nursing intervention implemented in pregnancy and postpartum to prevent postpartum depression. We conducted an anonymous self-administered questionnaire survey involving 91 facilities with the Department of Obstetrics in a certain prefecture. Items investigated included: description of the facilities surveyed, understanding of the incidence of postpartum depression, and approaches taken to prevent postpartum depression during pregnancy and the puerperium. The survey results showed that nursing intervention to prevent postpartum depression has not yet been widely and actively implemented across the facilities surveyed. However, in some facilities adopting preventive approaches starting from pregnancy, the contents of such an approach were proactively developed. Furthermore, those providing discharge instructions to prevent postpartum depression developed detailed guidance. In fact, there was a gap among the facilities surveyed in terms of nursing intervention for the prevention of postpartum depression. Based on these findings, it is considered necessary to urge facilities to design and implement nursing intervention to prevent postpartum depression. It is important to establish support systems to facilitate the implementation of nursing intervention starting in pregnancy and postpartum.
