MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstrak

Mental health disorders during pregnancy have become a significant public health concern due to their adverse effects on maternal well-being, pregnancy outcomes, and child development. Early identification through systematic mental health screening is essential to facilitate timely intervention and improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes. This literature review aimed to examine the current evidence regarding mental health screening among pregnant women, focusing on screening instruments, implementation strategies, and barriers to their integration into antenatal care services. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases for articles published between 2019 and 2025. Studies were selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, emphasizing original research and systematic reviews related to antenatal mental health screening. The review found that the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and the Whooley Questions were the most frequently used and validated screening instruments. Successful implementation depended on healthcare provider training, integration into routine antenatal care, and adequate referral pathways. However, stigma, limited mental health resources, and insufficient provider competence remained major challenges. Routine mental health screening should be incorporated into antenatal care to promote early detection and comprehensive maternal healthcare.