Tamización de síntomas de depresión, ansiedad prenatal y factores de riesgo psicosocial asociados en usuarias del servicio de control prenatal. Reflexiones en torno a la construcción del protocolo

Introduction. In recent years, mental health problems during the prenatal period have become a priority in the public health field. The weakness of the healthcare systems’ response to this situation adds to the adverse effects that an altered state of mental health can pose for the well-being of the mother and her child. In Colombia, the figures of prevalence of any mental health problem during pregnancy are still unknown, which hinders the possibility of providing care that considers the specific nature of the context. The objective is to design a protocol to screen for depression, prenatal anxiety and related psychosocial risk factors among users of the prenatal control service of a hospital in east Colombia. Methodology. The creation of the protocol consists of a formal method in accordance with the classification carried out by the Colombian Ministry of Social Protection for the Clinical Practice Guidelines. It includes the review, summary and analysis of literature on prenatal depression and anxiety (together with the related psychosocial risk factors), as well as the detection and response strategies for them. This review served as a basis to prepare a preliminary version of the protocol, which was subject to an external review to verify its validity, clarity and suitability, before proceeding with the design of the final version. Results. In accordance with the literature, the protocol includes the application of instruments to identify symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as related psychosocial risk factors, such as sociodemographic variables (age, level of education, occupation and financial income); the perceived social support and quality of the couple relationship; personal and family psychological and psychiatric history; factors related to pregnancy, such as previous complications or negative experiences; personality characteristics; and experience of adverse and stressful life events. Conclusions. The protocol responds to the gap in the identification of and response to mental health problems among pregnant women.