Implementing WHO Thinking Healthy Program in A Population of Iranian Pregnant Women with Depression and its Impact on Infant Outcomes

Abstract

Abstract Background Maternal depression during pregnancy and after delivery can affect the mother's relationship with the baby as well as the physical growth and development of the child. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Thinking Healthy Program (THP) of the World Health Organization (WHO) which is an evidence-based intervention for the treatment of depression in in pregnant women, on infant outcomes up to 6 months after birth. Method This interventional study was conducted on 80 depressed pregnant women, completing all relevant questionnaires from August 2021 to March 2022, in Tehran, Iran, who were randomly divided into 2 groups of 40 participants in intervention (THP provided by healthcare liaisons) and control group (receiving routine care), and followed up to 6 months after delivery. Beck, Edinburgh, Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) were completed for all participants, and anthropometric indices of the newborn, child development, breast feeding, and gastrointestinal infections were assessed in the infants. Result In the 80 infants studied, weight at birth (3249.5 vs. 3042.5gr, P-value: 0.03), weight difference (birth- 4 months; 4354 vs. 4084 g, p-value: 0.02), height difference (4–6 months; 3 vs. 1 cm, P-value: 0.001), head circumference difference (4–6 months; 2 vs. 1 cm, P-value: 0.001), and ASQ score at 6 months of age (290 vs. 265, P-value: 0.001) were higher in the infants of the intervention group. Diarrhea (10% vs. 52.5%, P-value: 0.001) and respiratory infections (7.5% vs. 40%, P-value: 0.001) were less frequent, and 6 months exclusive breastfeeding rates (85% vs. 27.5%, P-value: 0.001) were higher in the intervention group; thus showing the effectiveness of THP. Conclusion This program led to the promotion of infant outcomes in the field of growth and development, and showed that this program can be implemented in Iran's health system and is effective for improving the health of children.