Knowledge, Attitude and Perceptions Around Perinatal Mental Health Among Doctors in an Obstetrics and Gynaecology Academic Department in Singapore

Background Frontline healthcare professionals who provide regular care to women in the antenatal and postnatal period play a critical role in the early detection and management of maternal perinatal mental health (PMH). This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of doctors around perinatal mental health in an obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G) department in Singapore. Methods Using an online survey, data was collected from 55 doctors who participated in the Doctor’s Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions of Perinatal Mental Health (I-DOC) study. The survey questions assessed the knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and practices in relation to PMH among doctors in the O&G specialty. Descriptive data was presented as means and standard deviations (SDs), or frequency and percentages. Results Out of the 55 doctors, more than half (60.0%) were not aware of the adverse impacts of poor PMH; 83.7% of doctors were not confident in providing PMH advice and 65.5% did not routinely screen patients for PMH disorders. There was a lower percentage of doctors (10.9% vs. 34.5%, p<0.001) who discussed PMH issues in the antenatal period compared to the postnatal period and this was statistically significant. Majority of doctors (98.2%) agreed that having standardised PMH guidelines will be useful. All doctors agreed on the benefits of having PMH guidelines, education and routine screening for patients. Conclusion There is inadequate PMH literacy among O&G doctors and lack of emphasis on antenatal PMH disorder. The findings highlighted the need for increased education and development of perinatal mental health guidelines.