Adolescent mothers: a qualitative study on barriers and facilitators to mental health in a low-resource setting in Cape Town, South Africa
Afr. j. prim. health care fam. med. (Online)
; 12(1): 1-9, 2020. ilus
Article
in En
| AIM
| ID: biblio-1257710
Responsible library:
CG1.1
ABSTRACT
Background:
Pregnant and postnatal adolescent women are a high-risk group for common mental disorders (CMDs); however, they have low levels of engagement and retention with mental health services. Negative consequences of CMDs have been documented for both mother and child.Aim:
The study aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators to service access for adolescents in low-resource settings.Setting:
We interviewed 12 adolescents, aged 1519 years, from low-resource settings in Cape Town, South Africa. Participants had previously engaged with a mental health service, integrated into maternity care.Methods:
Twelve semi-structured, individual interviews were used for this qualitative study. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and coded. A framework analysis was employed for data analysis.Results:
Adolescents perceived considerable stigma around both teenage pregnancy and mental illness, which inhibited use of mental health services. Other barriers included fearing a lack of confidentiality as well as logistical and environmental obstacles. Service uptake was facilitated by support from other adults and flexible appointment times. Face-to-face individual counselling was their preferred format for a mental health intervention.Conclusion:
Several key components for adolescent-friendly mental health services emerged from ourfindings:
integrate routine mental health screening into existing obstetric services to de-stigmatise mental health problems and optimise screening coverage; coordinate obstetric and counselling appointment times to rationalise the use of limited resources; and sensitise care providers to the needs of adolescents to reduce stigma around adolescent sexual activity and mental illness. A non-judgemental, caring and confidential relationship between counsellors and clients is crucial for successful interactions
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Database:
AIM
Main subject:
South Africa
/
Mental Health
/
Adolescent
/
Pregnant Women
/
Depression
/
Mothers
Type of study:
Qualitative_research
Country/Region as subject:
Africa
Language:
En
Journal:
Afr. j. prim. health care fam. med. (Online)
Year:
2020
Document type:
Article