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Understanding Healthcare Professionals’ Knowledge on Perinatal Depression among Women in a Tertiary Hospital in Ghana: A Qualitative Study

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  • Sandra Fremah Asare

    (Department of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatment, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, 28015 Madrid, Spain
    Discipline of Nursing, School of Nursing and Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa
    Seventh-Day Adventist Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Kwadaso, Kumasi P.O. Box PC 96, Ghana)

  • Maria F. Rodriguez-Muñoz

    (Department of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatment, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, 28015 Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

Health conditions affecting women in the perinatal period still account for a major contribution to disease burden in Sub-Saharan Africa, yet there is a dearth of empirical research to understanding health professionals’ perspective on their experiences and how they care for perinatal women in depression. We used a qualitative exploratory descriptive approach through a face- to face-interview to explore the knowledge of 11 health professionals of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi- Ghana. Interviews were taped recorded and transcribed verbatim. The study adopted Haase’s modification of Colaizzi’s method for the analysis. Four main themes emerged: ineffective communication (Referral lapses among care providers, long waiting time, lack of confidentiality), workload (Inefficient staff to meet perinatal women’s need, no screening tools and time constraints), Reaction to patients symptoms (Identifying patient’s symptoms, assessment through patient’s centeredness and Education and counselling). Our results emerged that time constraints, stigmatization and lack of awareness delayed the care and management of perinatal depression among healthcare professionals in the hospital setting. There is the need to improve healthcare professionals’ knowledge on perinatal depression and it is imperative for the hospital administrators to invest in continuous training and professional development for healthcare professionals.

Suggested Citation

  • Sandra Fremah Asare & Maria F. Rodriguez-Muñoz, 2022. "Understanding Healthcare Professionals’ Knowledge on Perinatal Depression among Women in a Tertiary Hospital in Ghana: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-17, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:23:p:15960-:d:988649
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mwawi Ng’oma & Samantha Meltzer-Brody & Ellen Chirwa & Robert C Stewart, 2019. "“Passing through difficult times”: Perceptions of perinatal depression and treatment needs in Malawi - A qualitative study to inform the development of a culturally sensitive intervention," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(6), pages 1-20, June.
    2. Nuworza Kugbey & Martin Ayanore & Phidelia Doegah & Masauso Chirwa & Susan A. Bartels & Colleen M. Davison & Eva Purkey, 2021. "Prevalence and Correlates of Prenatal Depression, Anxiety and Suicidal Behaviours in the Volta Region of Ghana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-13, May.
    3. Thandi van Heyningen & Simone Honikman & Mark Tomlinson & Sally Field & Landon Myer, 2018. "Comparison of mental health screening tools for detecting antenatal depression and anxiety disorders in South African women," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(4), pages 1-18, April.
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