Women's Perinatal Mental Health Support by Health Services: A Contemporary Study

Postgraduate Thesis uoadl:2936171 149 Read counter

Unit:
Κατεύθυνση Προαγωγή και Αγωγή της Υγείας
Library of the School of Health Sciences
Deposit date:
2021-02-19
Year:
2021
Author:
Mitrantzia Theodora
Supervisors info:
Γιάννης Τούντας , Καθηγητής Ιατρικής Σχολής, ΕΚΠΑ
Ευανθία Σακελλάρη, Επίκουρη Καθηγήτρια, ΠΑΔΑ
Ντιάνα Χαριλα, Τμήμα Ψυχολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Original Title:
Υποστήριξη της Περιγεννητικής ψυχικής υγείας της γυναίκας από τις υπηρεσίες υγείας: Μια συγχρονική μελέτη
Languages:
Greek
Translated title:
Women's Perinatal Mental Health Support by Health Services: A Contemporary Study
Summary:
Objective: All health professionals have an important role in caring for women throughout their pregnancy,
during childbirth and after birth. They are in a unique position to appreciate mental health issues and offer
appropriate support and referral.
Method: A crossectional study was conducted and the data were collected over a period of one month in
2019, using an anonymous internet survey based on previous literature on the subject. Data were analyzed
using the IBM SPSS 23 statistical program.
Results: 105 people (74.3% women) participated in the study. Participants were midwives (36.75%), nurses
(31.50%), health visitors (26.25%), gynecologists (13.65%) and social workers (2.10%). Only 18.9% of the
participants stated that they have not been trained on perinatal mental health issues of women. Half of the
participants stated that in the last six months have cared for one to five women with mental health problems
who visited their workplace. 66.3% of the participants say they can recognize if a woman is at risk of
developing perinatal mental health problems and 68.0% stated that they discuss mental health issues with
women. Less than half (39.8%) stated that they provide information to women's partners and families on
perinatal mental health issues. 77.8% refer women to mental health services when needed. 48.5% stated that
they have a moderate level of knowledge regarding the available public support services for women with
perinatal mental health issues, while only 30.9% know the subject "well".
79% of the participants consider that the little time they have at their disposal with the woman is an obstacle in
the care of her perinatal mental health and 75% state that the lack of time for developing an interpersonal
relationship with the woman is a significant obstacle. 49% of the participants state that they are afraid of the
fact that it is not in their professional role to discuss with the woman about her mental health. 68% cite the lack
of free perinatal mental health services as an obstacle to discussion and 48% fear that the only mental health
treatment offered will be drugs.
Conclusions: The results showed significant correlations between working conditions and the characteristics of
public mental health services with the provision of perinatal mental health care, as well as a significant number
of barriers faced by health professionals in caring for women with perinatal mental illness. Policy makers should
provide appropriate specialized services for pregnant women with mental health disorders. Education on the
prevention, detection and management of perinatal mental health disorders should be provided as part of
national training programs for all health professionals involved. It is essential for those in charge to ensure that
there are updated and clear care protocols and standards. The roles and responsibilities of all staff must be
clear.
Main subject category:
Health Sciences
Keywords:
Perinatal mental health, Health professionals, Barriers, Education
Index:
No
Number of index pages:
0
Contains images:
No
Number of references:
117
Number of pages:
78
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