Anglia Ruskin Research Online (ARRO)
Browse

File(s) not publicly available

Inequity in provision of and access to health visiting postnatal depression services

journal contribution
posted on 2023-07-26, 12:47 authored by Palo Almond, Judith Lathlean
Aim. This paper is a report of a study of equity in the provision of a public health nursing postnatal depression service. Background. Postnatal depression is a global public health concern. Health visitors are nurses involved in the early detection and treatment of postnatal depression. However, research has revealed that all women are not assessed for postnatal depression particularly women in minority ethnic groups. Methods. A case study was conducted involving 21 observations of health visitors visiting postnatal women, interviews with 20 health visitors, 6 managers, 12 English women, 9 Bangladeshi women and 3 other personnel. Data were collected between 2003 and 2005 and analysis was completed in 2008. Findings. The organization had a policy to create equitable postnatal depression services, but practitioners were not clear whether it was to be implemented, and it did not address the needs of a diverse population. All health visitors received specialized training and were consequently expected to assess and treat all women. The training based on the policy had not equipped health visitors with knowledge and skills to assess and treat women in minority ethnic groups. Conclusion. While a policy was in place, equity in care was not achieved. An analysis of women’s needs is recommended prior to policy development and policy implementation should be planned. To achieve equity, training should include knowledge and skills for cultural competency. Research is needed to illuminate the characteristics of equitable nursing services.

History

Refereed

  • Yes

Volume

67

Issue number

11

Page range

2350-2362

Publication title

Journal of Advanced Nursing

ISSN

1365-2648

Publisher

Wiley

Language

  • other

Legacy posted date

2011-08-11

Legacy Faculty/School/Department

ARCHIVED Faculty of Health, Social Care & Education (until September 2018)

Usage metrics

    ARU Outputs

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Licence

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC