Date of Conferral

7-12-2024

Date of Award

July 2024

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Health Education and Promotion

Advisor

Cheri Langley

Abstract

Perinatal depression is an important public health issue that disproportionately affects Black women and contributes to negative maternal and birth outcomes. This quantitative, correlational cross-sectional study aimed to understand the relationship between health care providers’ likelihood of screening for perinatal depression among Black women and their perceptions framed within the health belief model. This study was conducted to examine the impact of health care providers’ perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, and perceived self-efficacy on the likelihood of screening for perinatal depression. This study was conducted in New York state and included 92 health care providers who actively provide prenatal care with at least 30% of their patient population consisting of Black women. Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants, and a survey methodology was used to evaluate their perceptions regarding perinatal depression screening. Spearman’s ρ and chi-square tests with exact p-values based on Monte Carlo simulation revealed a significant correlation between health care providers’ perceived susceptibility to perinatal depression in Black women and their likelihood of screening for perinatal depression. This study has potential implications for positive social change by informing health care practices and policies that prioritize perinatal depression screening, referral, and treatment as the standard practice of providing prenatal care. This is especially important for Black women to improve overall maternal health and birth outcomes.

Download

Share

 
COinS