Identification and transfer to stepped care of depressed and psychosocially stressed parents during peri- and postpartum-UPlusE: study protocol for cluster randomized trial of a screening intervention.

Background: Perinatal depression affects 10-15% of mothers and approximately 5% of fathers. However, only a small number of affected individuals seek treatment. If left unrecognized and untreated, it can have negative long-term consequences for the family's health, leading to subsequent high costs. Early treatment is crucial, yet there is a notable underdiagnosis and undertreatment. Affected individuals are often seen during this time, e.g. in paediatric practices, but not by specialists in mental health. Consequently, this study aims to increase detection and treatment rates of affected individuals by implementing a screening for depression and psychosocial stress in perinatal and postpartum parents within routine obstetric and paediatric care with subsequent advice and-if necessary-further referral to a mental health specialist.

Methods: UPlusE is a prospective, cluster-randomized controlled trial conducted in an outpatient setting. Obstetric and paediatric practices will be randomized into an intervention and control group (1:1 ratio). Practices and enrolling patients will be required to use specific smartphone apps (practice apps) for interaction. The screening will occur with the apps at each paediatric checkup up to the child's age of 12 months, using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), KID-PROTEKT questionnaire, and the scale 1 (impaired bonding) of the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ-1). The goal is to screen 10,000 patients across Germany. Gynaecologists and paediatricians will receive certified training on peripartum depression. Participants in the intervention group with scores above cut-offs (EPDS ≥ 10, KID-PROTEKT ≥ 1, PBQ-1 ≥ 12) will receive counselling through their treating gynaecologists/paediatricians and will be provided with regional addresses for psychiatrists, psychotherapists, and "Frühe Hilfen" (early prevention) as well as family counselling centres, depending on symptom severity. At each screening, participants will be asked whether they sought support, where, and with whom (utilization). Utilization is the primary outcome.

Discussion: The screening is designed to reduce underdiagnosis to enable suitable support at an early stage (especially for those often overlooked, such as individuals with "high-functioning depression") and hence to avoid manifestation of mental health problems in the whole family, especially infants who are exceptionally dependent on their parents and their well-being will benefit from this program.

Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00033385. Registered on 15 January 2024.