Citation

Rondon MB. BJPsych Int. 2020; 17(4): 85-87.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Royal College of Psychiatrists)

DOI

10.1192/bji.2020.9

PMID

33196704 PMCID

Abstract

Research on the topic of poor perinatal mental health in South America is scarce. Nevertheless, studies have shown that it is not uncommon, and that it is linked to women's experience of sexual and intimate partner violence and to inequality, poverty and low educational attainment. High-quality research in large samples with rigorous methodology is a priority, so that data from this region may be compared and analysed in systematic reviews. The links with intimate partner violence need to be explored. Risk and protective factors must be investigated with a strong intercultural perspective. Service integration needs to be implemented. This will require improvements in the availability, accessibility and quality of obstetric and mental health services. There is a need for targeted evidence-based interventions for women and children at risk that incorporate a strong gender and rights perspective.

Language: en

Keywords

perinatal psychiatry; research priority; services; South America