A randomized clinical trial was carried out at primary care level in Santiago, Chile to investigate a combined treatment for women suffering post-natal depression and preventing the adverse consequences of this illness on infant's growth and development.

Background: We compared the effectiveness of a multi-component intervention with usual care to treat postnatal depression among low-income mothers in primary care clinics in Santiago, Chile.

Methods: Randomised controlled trial. Two hundred and thirty mothers with major depression attending postnatal clinics were randomly allocated to either a multi-component intervention or usual care. The multi-component intervention involved a psychoeducational group, treatment adherence support, and pharmacotherapy if needed. Data were analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. The main outcome measure was the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at 3 and 6 months after randomisation.

• Other: multi-component intervention
• Other: Usual care

• Experimental: The multi-component intervention involved a psychoeducational group, treatment adherence support, and pharmacotherapy if needed
• Active Comparator: 'Usual care' included all services normally available in the clinics, including antidepressant medication, brief psychotherapeutic interventions or referral for specialty treatment

Inclusion Criteria:

• Mothers meeting criteria for current DSM-IV major depression were eligible.

Exclusion Criteria:

• who had received any form of treatment for their depression during their current postnatal period,
• those who were pregnant,
• with psychotic symptoms,
• serious suicidal risk,
• history of mania,
• alcohol or drug abuse