A Randomised Controlled Trial To Evaluate the Effect Of Antenatal Psychoeducation on Postpartum Depression among Pregnant Women in Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu

This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the effectiveness of a structured, non-pharmacological antenatal psychoeducation module in reducing postpartum depression among pregnant women in Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu. A total of 250 antenatal mothers attending selected PHCs will be recruited and randomized into intervention and control groups. The intervention group will receive a single-session psychoeducation module on emotional changes in pregnancy, stress management, coping skills, family support, and early identification of depressive symptoms, whereas the control group will receive routine antenatal care. The primary outcome is postpartum depression measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at baseline and at 6 weeks postpartum. This low-cost, community-deliverable intervention aims to determine whether antenatal psychoeducation can serve as an effective preventive strategy for reducing postpartum depression at the primary healthcare level. No drugs or invasive procedures are involved in this trial.