Approach to perinatal mental health and child abuse prevention in Japanese prefectural health centers ()
ABSTRACT
The aim of this
study was to conduct a nationwide survey in Japan of prefectural health centers,
which were responsible for providing guidance to municipalities. The survey
was performed in order to clarify the following issues: 1) the current level
of support provided by prefectural centers for pre-and post-natal mental
health; 2) the structures in place for providing consultation services for an
“unwanted pregnancy” and the support available for high-risk cases; and 3)
the advice available on postpartum maternal psychological screening, and interpretation
of results of such screening. Questionnaires were sent by post to 394 prefectural
health centers, of which 277 (70.3%) responded. A total of 32% of prefectural
health centers confirmed that they had offered support to high-risk cases
during pregnancy, and 72% had offered support post-partum. Regarding offering
support to high-risk mothers, those prefectural
health centers that did provide consultation services (n = 59) reported
providing introductions and information about available facilities (P < 0.001)
and conducting case conferences (P < 0.002). This was significantly
different than prefectural health centers that did not provide consultation
services (n = 198). At the prefectural health centers that “follow up on” the
results of the mental health screening, psychiatry consultations were reported
twice as often as the prefectural health centers that did “not follow up on”
the results of mental health screening. These findings indicate that childcare
support systems for postpartum mental health and the prevention of child abuse
were established. However, the lack of prenatal health and support systems for
the prenatal period remains an issue.
Share and Cite:
Sugishita, K. , Kurihara, K. , Murayama, S. and Kamibeppu, K. (2013) Approach to perinatal mental health and child abuse prevention in Japanese prefectural health centers.
Health,
5, 735-742. doi:
10.4236/health.2013.54097.