Exciting findings from a major clinical trial, funded by the National Institutes of Health, reveal that a groundbreaking anxiety intervention for pregnant women in Pakistan dramatically reduces the likelihood of developing moderate-to-severe anxiety, depression, or both six weeks after childbirth. The intervention, called Happy Mother-Healthy Baby, was administered by non-specialized providers with a bachelor’s degree in psychology but no clinical experience. The results indicate a remarkable potential to curb postpartum mental health challenges in low-resource settings.
“In regions with limited resources, accessing mental health care can be a daunting task for women due to a shortage of trained specialists,” remarked Dr. Joshua A. Gordon, Director of the National Institute of Mental Health. “This study underscores the role of non-specialists in filling this crucial gap and extending care to more women during this critical period.”
Conducted in the Punjab Province of Pakistan between April 2019 and January 2022, the study led by Dr. Pamela J. Surkan from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health randomly assigned pregnant women with mild anxiety symptoms to receive routine pregnancy care or the cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based Happy Mother-Healthy Baby intervention. Assessment at six weeks post-birth revealed that 9% of women in the intervention group developed moderate-to-severe anxiety, compared to 27% in the routine care group. Moreover, 12% of women in the intervention group developed depression, in contrast to 41% in the routine care group.
Dr. Surkan emphasized the broader impact of postpartum depression, stating, “Postpartum depression not only harms mothers but is also associated with poorer physical growth and delayed cognitive development in their children. Addressing postpartum anxiety and depression is critical for both maternal and child health.”
Happy Mother-Healthy Baby, designed with input from pregnant women in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, involved six intervention sessions where participants learned to identify and replace anxious thoughts and behaviors. The study demonstrates that targeting the prenatal period with such interventions can be crucial, especially considering that up to 30% of women in the Global South report experiencing anxiety during pregnancy.
The challenge of accessing clinical care in low-resource settings is alleviated by interventions like Happy Mother-Healthy Baby, providing an effective solution to prevent postpartum depression and anxiety. Dr. Surkan emphasized the need for future research, stating, “In the future, we can build on these findings through implementation research, identifying the best ways to deliver effective treatment and bridging the gap between science and practice.”
