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Journal of the New Zealand Medical Association, 25-May-2012, Vol 125 No 1355

[full text] [PDF]

Validation of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) as a screening tool for postnatal depression in Samoan and Tongan women living in New Zealand

Alec J Ekeroma, Bettina Ikenasio-Thorpe, Sara Weeks, Jesse Kokaua, Kasalanaita Puniani, Peter Stone, Siale A Foliaki

Abstract

Aim
To validate the EPDS as a screening tool for postnatal depression in Samoan and Tongan women living in New Zealand.

Methods
85 Samoan and 85 Tongan women who delivered babies at Middlemore Hospital from February 2009 to June 2010 completed the EPDS questionnaire and from 4 weeks after delivery followed by an interview using a Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) within 4 weeks of the EPDS completion.

Results
The EPDS in English, Tongan and Samoan languages is a valid and consistent tool for screening for PND in Samoan and Tongan women. A cut-off score of ≥10 for Tongan and ≥11 for Samoan women gave the best sensitivity (80%) and specificity (80%) combination whereas a higher cut-off of ≥16 for Tongan and ≥17 Samoan women gave the best positive predictive value (82%) and negative predictive value (86%) for serious depression. The lower cut-off scores correctly diagnosed 82% and the higher cut-offs more than 87% of women with serious depression.

Conclusion
The EPDS was an acceptable and valid tool for PND screening in English, Samoan and Tongan languages amongst Samoan and Tongan women. The cut-offs for PND screening were dissimilar in the two groups with a ≥10 for Tongan and ≥11 for Samoan women. A higher cut-off of ≥16 for Tongan and ≥17 for Samoan women improves the predictive value of the instrument.