Nurse home visiting and maternal mental health : 3-year follow-up of a randomized trial

Sharon Goldfeld, Hannah Bryson, Fiona Mensah, Lisa Gold, Francesca Orsini, Susan Perlen, Anna Price, Harriet Hiscock, Anneke Grobler, Penelope Dakin, Tracey Bruce, Diana Harris, Lynn Kemp

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Poor mental health is recognized as one of the greatest global burdens of disease. Maternal mental health is crucial for the optimal health of mothers and their children. We examined the effects of an Australian Nurse Home Visiting (NHV) program (right@home), offered to pregnant women experiencing adversity, on maternal mental health and well-being at child age 3 years. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial of NHV delivered via universal child and family health services (2013-2016). Pregnant women experiencing adversity ($2 of 10 risk factors) were recruited from 10 antenatal clinics across 2 states. Intervention comprised 25 home visits until child age 2 years. The outcomes assessed 1-year postintervention completion were maternal self-report of mental health symptoms (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales) and positive aspects of mental health (personal well-being and self-efficacy). RESULTS: Of the 722 women enrolled in the trial, 255 of 363 (70%) intervention and 240 of 359 (67%) control group women provided data at 3 years. Compared with controls, the intervention group reported better mental health (reverse Depression Anxiety Stress Scales scores): effect sizes of 0.25 (depression; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.08 to 0.32), 0.20 (anxiety; 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.30), 0.17 (stress; 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.37), and 0.23 (total score; 95% CI: 0.12 to 0.38); 0.16 (95% CI: 0.04 to 0.29) for personal well-being; and an odds ratio of 1.60 (95% CI: 1.19 to 2.16) for self-efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: An NHV designed to support mothers experiencing adversity can lead to later maternal mental health benefits, even after the program ends.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere2020025361
Number of pages11
JournalPediatrics
Volume147
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

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