Abstract
BackgroundThe presence of mental distress during pregnancy and after childbirth imposes detrimental developmental and health consequences for families in all nations. In Zambia, the Ministry of Health (MoH) has proposed a more comprehensive approach towards mental health care, recognizing the importance of the mental health of women during the perinatal period.AimThe study explores factors contributing to mental distress during the perinatal period of motherhood in Zambia.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted in Lusaka, Zambia with nineteen focus groups comprising 149 women and men from primary health facilities and schools respectively.FindingsThere are high levels of mental distress in four domains: worry about HIV status and testing; uncertainty about survival from childbirth; lack of social support; and vulnerability/oppression.ConclusionIdentifying mental distress and prompt referral for interventions is critical to improving the mental health of the mother and prevent the effects of mental distress on the baby.RecommendationStrategies should be put in place to ensure pregnant women are screened for possible perinatal mental health problems during their visit to antenatal clinic and referral made to qualified mental health professionals. In addition further research is recommended in order to facilitate evidence based mental health policy formulation and implementation in Zambia.
Highlights
The presence of mental distress during pregnancy and after childbirth imposes detrimental developmental and health consequences for families in all nations
Recommendation: Strategies should be put in place to ensure pregnant women are screened for possible perinatal mental health problems during their visit to antenatal clinic and referral made to qualified mental health professionals
This paper focuses on those factors that women thought negatively influenced their psychological wellbeing during the perinatal period as outlined below
Summary
The presence of mental distress during pregnancy and after childbirth imposes detrimental developmental and health consequences for families in all nations. The perinatal period has been considered as a time of crisis brought about by emotional, psychological and social stress [1]. For many women this period can be a time of heightened risk for mental health and emotional responses. Exacerbation of preexisting mental disorders such as depression, that were present in antenatal period or a psychotic illness such as schizophrenia might be experienced. Jomeen and Martin [7], who assessed women in the antenatal period for depression, emphasized the importance of identifying maternal psychological distress during the course of pregnancy as a strategy to prevent postpartum depression. Other studies on antenatal depressive mood have examined antenatal mood as the predictor of postnatal depression [8,9] with psychological disturbance and distress during pregnancy as risk factors
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