Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward Perinatal Depression Among Obstetric Healthcare Professionals at a Tertiary Care Center in Mumbai, India

Background Perinatal depression is a common mental health condition with substantial adverse consequences for maternal well-being and child development. In India, obstetric healthcare professionals are often the first and most consistent point of contact for women during the antenatal and postpartum periods. This places them in a pivotal position to identify and facilitate early intervention for perinatal depression. However, evidence regarding their knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to perinatal mental health remains limited. Aim The study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to perinatal depression among obstetric healthcare professionals in a tertiary care setting in Mumbai and to identify perceived barriers to routine screening and management. Methods A five-month cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Mumbai. Obstetric healthcare professionals, including interns, junior residents, senior residents, and consultants, were recruited using purposive sampling. A structured, self-administered, validated questionnaire assessed professional characteristics and knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to perinatal depression. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics and responses in the knowledge, attitude, and practice domains. Categorical variables were expressed as frequencies and percentages. Associations between categorical variables (e.g., professional designation, prior mental health training, and screening practices) were analyzed using the Chi-squared test of independence. A p-value of