Instrumentos de rastreamento da depressão pós-parto na atenção primária à saúde

Objective: To discuss the performance and use of postpartum depression screening instruments in primary health care, considering care following positive results. Methodology: A narrative review based on exploratory searches for Portuguese- and English-language publications, with consultation of PubMed records, SciELO and publisher websites on October 20, 2026. Validation studies, service-based research, reviews and a clinical guideline were selected for their relevance. Exhaustive searching, independent duplicate screening and formal risk-of-bias assessment were not performed. Results: The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 have evidence supporting their usefulness during the perinatal period. Performance varies with population, threshold and diagnostic reference standard. Implementation depends on professional training, time, acceptability and access to subsequent assessment. Integrated screening programs suggest benefits when linked to diagnosis, treatment and follow-up; such effects should not be attributed to questionnaire administration alone. Conclusion: Instrument selection should be accompanied by explicit responsibilities and care pathways. Positive screens, clinical assessments, completed referrals and treatment initiation should be distinguished when evaluating services. Interpretation is limited by the non-systematic nature of this review.