Reflecting on the feasibility of peer support for pregnant teenagers with mild to moderate depression: challenges related to study recruitment

This short reflective piece incorporates the proposed feasibility design to assess the effectiveness of a peer support interventional programme delivered to pregnant teenagers who self-assessed with low mood.

A randomised control feasibility pilot study using a mixed-methods approach was conducted during early 2022. The study intended to recruit a minimum of 70 pregnant teenagers, using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale at pre- and post- intervention, as well as semi-structured interviews.
The study experienced challenges in recruiting pregnant teenagers.

No quantitative data were used in this study, recruitment was closed and the study evaluated the qualitative data only to establish feasibility.