Perinatal depression is a significant issue, with a prevalence ranging from 11% to 33% in Ethiopia. Untreated perinatal depression can lead to severe complications for both mothers and their children, including poor fetal growth, adverse birth outcomes, and long-term educational challenges for the child.
The study identifies several barriers and enablers to the effective implementation of perinatal depression health services in Ethiopia. Understanding these factors can help practitioners improve their approach to mental health services in educational settings.
Key Barriers Identified
- Individual Level Barriers: Health administrators' low literacy about perinatal depression.
- Socio-Cultural Level Barriers: Community low awareness, health-seeking behaviors, and cultural norms.
- Organizational Level Barriers: Lack of government capacity, readiness, and priority for screening and managing perinatal depression.
- Structural Level Barriers: Lack of mental health policy, strategies, and healthcare systems.
Key Enablers Identified
- New Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGap): Provides a framework for integrating mental health services into primary care.
- Health Professionals’ Commitment: Dedicated professionals are willing to implement and manage mental health services.
- Simplicity of Screening Programs: Easy-to-implement screening tools can be integrated into routine health services.
To improve your practice, consider the following steps based on the study's findings:
- Increase Awareness: Educate yourself and your colleagues about perinatal depression, its risk factors, symptoms, and consequences.
- Enhance Screening: Implement simple screening tools in your practice to identify at-risk individuals early.
- Advocate for Policy Changes: Work with policymakers to develop and implement mental health policies that address perinatal depression.
- Foster Community Engagement: Raise awareness in the community about the importance of mental health and the availability of services.
By understanding and addressing these barriers and leveraging the identified enablers, practitioners can significantly improve the outcomes for mothers and their children.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: “We do not know how to screen and provide treatment”: a qualitative study of barriers and enablers of implementing perinatal depression health services in Ethiopia.
