ptsd Women War Veterans Face Higher Risk Of Mental Health Problems During Pregnancy

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Women War Veterans Face Higher Risk of Mental Health Problems during Pregnancy Source: JOURNAL OF WOMEN’S HEALTH

Volume 19, Number 12, 2010 ª Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. DOI: 10.1089=jwh.2009.1892

Abstract

Background: Veterans of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom (OEF=OIF) may experience significant stress during military service that can have lingering effects. Little is known about mental health problems

or treatment among pregnant OEF=OIF women veterans. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence

of mental health problems among veterans who received pregnancy-related care in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) system.

Methods: Data from the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) deployment roster of military discharges from

October 1, 2001, through April 30, 2008, were used to assemble an administrative cohort of female OEF=OIF

veterans enrolled in care at the VHA (n¼43,078). Pregnancy and mental health conditions were quantified

according to ICD-9-CM codes and specifications. Mental healthcare use and prenatal care were assessed by

analyzing VHA stop codes.

Results: During the study period, 2966 (7%) women received at least one episode of pregnancy-related care, and

32% of veterans with a pregnancy and 21% without a pregnancy received one or more mental health diagnoses

( p<0.0001). Veterans with a pregnancy were twice as likely to have a diagnosis of depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia as those without a pregnancy.

Conclusions: Women OEF=OIF veterans commonly experience mental health problems after military service.

The burden of mental health conditions is higher among women with an identified instance of pregnancy than

among those without. Because women do not receive pregnancy care at the VHA, however, little is known about

ongoing concomitant prenatal and mental healthcare or about pregnancy outcomes among these women veterans.

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preg and ptsd.pdf