Table 2 Knowledge of PMHP reported in studies

Recognition

More than 50% of participants were able to recognize perinatal mental illness

Thorsteinsson 2014 [56] (PPD: 77.5%), Branquinho 2019 [30] (recognized the term PPD: 99.8%)

Less than 50% of participants were able to recognize perinatal mental illness

Highet 2011^a [18] (PPD: 37.3%; stress: 10.7%; postnatal anxiety / panic attacks: 9.9%; prenatal depression: 3.7%), Smith 2019 [55]^a (PPD: 35.6%; Postnatal Anxiety / panic attacks: 12.8%; prenatal depression: 2.5%; prenatal anxiety/panic attacks: 21.0%)

Buist 2005 [32] (PPD: 32%); Buist 2007 [20] (PPD: 47.1%)

Symptoms

PPD: negative thoughts about the baby (66.7%); sleeping and eating problems (81.5%); difficulties responding to respond to their partners and other children’s needs (85.3%); difficulties responding to their baby’s needs (77.1%); severe sadness and irritability (57.3%)

Branquinho 2019 [30]

PPD: feeling sad/miserable (30.2%); Lack of bonding or worry about bonding with baby (26.2%); feelings of not coping (20.3%); Isolation (20.2%); Feeling tired (16.3%); Feeling stressed/anxious (15.3%); Loss of interest (11.3%); Sleeping problems (10.1%); Low self-esteem (9.8%); Mood changes (9.1%); Anger (8.3%); Weight (7.4%); Irritability (7.1%)

Highet 2011 [18]

PPD: Women with PPD find it difficult to respond to their baby’s cues (68.6%); women with PPD find it more difficult to respond to the needs of their partner or other children (79.8%)

Kingston 2014b [17]

PPD: sadness (63.2%); frustration/irritability (26.0%); sleep/appetite problems (20.6%); feelings of guilt toward the baby (19.0%); anxiety/fears (12.2%); harm to self or the baby (< 5.0%); hopelessness/helplessness (5.0%); social isolation (< 5.0%)

baby blues: same symptoms as PPD (28.1%), not extending 2 weeks (29.9%)

Sealy 2009 [19]

PPD: feeling sad/miserable (37.1%); fatigue/sleep problems (23.4%); lack of bonding with baby (19.5%); anger/irritability/aggression (17.2%); social isolation/withdrawal (13.5%); anxiety/panic attacks (12.8%); mood changes (9.3%); weight/appetite changes (8.7%); feelings of not coping (8.4%); loss of interest/pleasure (3.7%); self-esteem/confidence (3.3%)

Postnatal anxiety: anxiety/panic attacks (17.1%); fatigue/sleep problems (13.2%); depression/sadness (9.8%); physical symptoms (9.4%); social isolation/withdrawal (8.1%); anger/irritability/aggression (6.9%); exaggerated/constant worrying (6.4%); inability to relax (6.4%); racing/intrusive thoughts (1.5%); obsessive behaviours (1.4%)

Smith 2019 [55]

Causes

PPD: Psychosocial causes (financial difficulty, and unsupportive partner and “thinking too much”) (60%)

Azale 2016 [27]

PPD: mainly caused by hormonal changes (28%); don’t know (31.7%), depression or anxiety during pregnancy (60.5%)

Branquinho 2019 [30]

Perinatal depression / anxiety: inadequate social support (22.2%); physical/hormonal change with pregnancy (19.4%); stress (11.1%); Unemployment (8.3%); Lack of sleep (8.3%); Adjustment to parenting (8.3%); Genetics (5.6%); prior mental health issue (5.6%) (primary cause of the depressive symptoms)

Henshaw 2013 [41]

PPD: Biological causes (35.4%); Unprepared for transition to parenthood (30%); Lack of support (21.8%); Not coping with infant’s demands (17.8%); Stress/pressure (15.9%); Fatigue/lack of sleep (11.4%)

Highet 2011 [18]

Prenatal depression / anxiety: history of anxiety or depression (57.2%)

PPD: prior episodes of anxiety or depression in pregnancy (60.9%)

Kingston 2014b [17]

Perinatal depression: Stress (80.5%); Hormonal changes (73.1%);state of mind (69.5%); pregnancy (65.8%); lack of sleep (46.3%); difficulty adjusting to being pregnant (43.9%); hereditary (43.9%); own behavior (39.0%); marriage or relationship problems (31.7%);other people (23.2%); having additional child (17.1%)

O‘Mahen 2009 [49]

PPD: feeling unsupported (61.7%); being isolated (61.7%); exhaustion (31.7%); physical health factors (45%); lack of time/ space for self (66.7%); material circumstances (55%); illness/death of loved one (26.7%); baby temperament (26.7%); hormones/biology (31.7%); tendency to depression (15%)

Small 1994 [54]

PPD: biological causes (34.5%); change of lifestyle (12.2%); lack of support (8.5%); not coping with parenting (9.0%); stress/pressure (7.0%); fatigue/lack of sleep (6.4%)

Smith 2019 [55]

PPD: hormonal changes (91%); lack of sleep (88%); lack of social support (75%); day-to-day problems (54%); difficult baby (52%); genetic tendency (47%); marital problems (45%); unprepared for parenthood (45%); uninformed about parenthood (42%); financial problems (41%); low self-esteem (39%); single parent status (39%); traumatic events (37%); obstetric factors (37%); nervous person (24%); virus or infection (13%)

Thorsteinsson 2014 [56]

First aid / Self-help

Performing religious activities, discussing with significant others, thinking less about the problem, being relaxed (most frequently mentioned factors)

Azale 2016 [27]

Prevention

Mental health treatment would be effective in preventing future mental health problems (58.7%)

Logsdon 2018a [45]

Intervention

PPD: professional help (92.1%); psychological intervention (77.6%); help from GP (67.0%); supplements and vitamins (4.3%); support of family and friends (5.6%)

Branquinho 2019 [30]

Prenatal depression: partner assistance (96%); Vitamins / minerals (86%); Counselling (80%); Naturopath (49%): special diet (40%); Antidepressants (22%)

PPD: Counselling (93%); partner assistance (93%); Vitamins / minerals (78%); Antidepressants (54%); Naturopath (49%); Special diet (45%)

Buist 2005 [32]

PPD: Counselling (19.4%); Support group (15.6%); Antidepressants (15.5%); Talking and listening (12.1%); Psychotherapy (9.6%); Family support (7.7%); Doctor / GP; (6.6%); Don’t know (9.9%)

Highet 2011 [18]

PPD and baby blues: Only PPD requires professional treatment (41.4%); PPD and baby blues require professional treatment (40.8%)

PPD: physician/obstetrician (85.2%); Psychiatrist/mental health worker (18.4%); local health unit (11.9%)

Sealy 2009 [19]

PPD: counselling/psychological therapy (37.7%); antidepressants (29.5%); support group; (6.5%); family support/friends (11.6%); GP/Medical professional (7.3%); help with domestic/childcare tasks (5.5%); talking and communication (3.4%); Exercise (4.0%); don’t know (26.9%)

Smith 2019 [55]