Effectiveness of a web-enabled psychoeducational resource for postpartum depression and anxiety among women in British Columbia

Abstract

Purpose: Postpartum depression (PPD) and anxiety (PPA) affect nearly one-quarter (23%) of women in Canada. eHealth is a promising solution for increasing access to postpartum mental healthcare. However, a user-centered approach is not routinely taken in the development of web-enabled resources, leaving postpartum women out of critical decision-making processes. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness, usability, and user satisfaction of PostpartumCare.ca, a web-enabled psychoeducational resource for PPD and PPA, created in partnership with postpartum women in British Columbia. Methods: Participants were randomized to either an intervention group (n = 52) receiving access to PostpartumCare.ca for four weeks, or to a waitlist control group (n = 51). Measures evaluating PPD (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) and PPA symptoms (Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale) were completed at baseline, after four weeks, and after a two-week follow-up. User ratings of website usability and satisfaction and website metrics were also collected. Results: PPD and PPA symptoms were significantly reduced for the intervention group only after four weeks, with improvements maintained after a two-week follow-up, corresponding with small-to-medium effect sizes (PPD: partial η2 = 0.03; PPA: partial η2 = 0.04). Intervention participants were also more likely than waitlist controls to recover from clinical levels of PPD symptoms (χ 2 (1, n = 63) = 4.58, p =.032) and PostpartumCare.ca’s usability and satisfaction were rated favourably overall. Conclusion: Findings suggest that a web-enabled psychoeducational resource, created in collaboration with patient partners, can effectively reduce PPD and PPA symptoms, supporting its potential use as a low-barrier option for postpartum women. Trial Registration: Protocol for this trial was preregistered on NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine, ClinicalTrials.gov as of May 2022 (ID No. NCT05382884).