The potential for integrating perinatal mental health care into reproductive health services in Tanzania: a mixed method approach
| dc.contributor.author | Hoya, Magdalena l. | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-03-28T07:09:54Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-03-28T07:09:54Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2023 | |
| dc.description | Dissertation ( MSc. Midwifery) | |
| dc.description.abstract | Background: Perinatal mental health is a challenging concern worldwide especially in poor-resourced countries like Tanzania as it is associated with substantial psychiatric morbidity, and relapse of mental illness including depression and anxiety secondary to pregnancy and the related complications. Impaired mental health affects perinatal mental health and the well-being of their babies, family, community, and the Nation at large. In Tanzania, perinatal mental health services traditionally have been underdeveloped, inadequately resourced and stigmatized due to the lack of policies and guidelines that would demand the provision of both mental health and reproductive health services at the same destination. Objective: This study aimed to assess the potential of integrating perinatal mental health care into reproductive health services in Tanzania. Methods: The study used a convergent parallel mixed method approach from April to July 2023. The study included a total of 384 perinatal mothers, 181 healthcare providers, 30 health facilities and 8 key informants (stakeholders). A simple random sampling and a purposive sampling technique were used to obtain study participants. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and an interview guide by the two standard researcher-administered tools and an adopted self-administered questionnaire. The quantitative data were analyzed using a descriptive analysis by frequency, table and Chi-square test to compare respondents’ demographic characteristics and the outcome variable. Furthermore, the thematic analysis was employed for qualitative data. Results: The majority of perinatal mothers had (55.2% at 95% CI=50.1%-60.3%) perinatal depressive symptoms and (59.9% at 95% CI=54.8%-64.8%) perinatal anxiety symptoms. Among 181 healthcare providers assessed 99 (55%) had adequate knowledge of identifying perinatal mothers with mental symptoms. Also, of them, 122(67%) had a positive perception towards integration, and of 30 facilities assessed only 8 (24%) were ready to integrate the services. However, Qualitative narratives indicate that stakeholders had a positive perception toward the integration of perinatal mental health care into reproductive and maternal health services. Conclusion: Integrating perinatal mental health care into reproductive and maternal health services has significant potential to improve the mental well-being of women during the perinatal period. The findings from this study provide important insights into the prevalence of common mental health disorders among perinatal mothers, healthcare providers' knowledge, perception and the perspectives of key stakeholders support the significance of this integration and underline the need for collaboration between various stakeholders to ensure successful implementation. | |
| dc.identifier.citation | Hoya, M. l. (2023). The potential for integrating perinatal mental health care into reproductive health services in Tanzania: a mixed method approach (Master's Dissertation) The University of Dodoma | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://repository.udom.ac.tz/handle/20.500.12661/4459 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | The University of Dodoma | |
| dc.subject | Mental health care | |
| dc.subject | Perinatal mental health | |
| dc.subject | Reproductive health | |
| dc.subject | Integrated health services | |
| dc.subject | Perinatal care | |
| dc.title | The potential for integrating perinatal mental health care into reproductive health services in Tanzania: a mixed method approach | |
| dc.type | Thesis |