Management of maternal depression: Qualitative exploration of perceptions of healthcare professionals from a public tertiary care hospital, Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

The lack of implementation and routine screening of management techniques at tertiary care hospitals leads to an increased burden of maternal depression. The consequences are borne emotionally, physically, and mentally by the mother, the child, the overall family, and society. Hence, it is vital to contextualize this mental disorder to design and implement effective healthcare interventions. The study is aimed to assess the knowledge and practices of healthcare professionals, in a tertiary care setting, who deal with depressive symptoms amongst mothers. It gauges whether a psychological screening criterion is being implemented by the clinical staff during prenatal and postnatal visits to recommend steps that can help develop a service framework. A qualitative, exploratory study design was implemented for this research. With purposive sampling, eight in-depth interviews (three nurses and five doctors) at a single tertiary care hospital were conducted categorically using a semi-structured (open and close-ended questions) interview toolkit. Content Analysis was carried out using information gathered from the unit of analysis. The study provided evidence of the existing gaps in one particular tertiary healthcare system, within Pakistan, concerning diagnosis and management of maternal depression. Results highlighted that providers were well-versed with explanations of maternal depression, the aftermath of it, and the current status of healthcare; however, they were minimally educated about the specifics and levels of treatment. The gathered information assisted in recommending steps to develop a service framework.

Associated factors of depression in primiparas with hypothyroidism during pregnancy

“…However, patients with hypothyroidism during pregnancy may worry too much about their own health problems and the health of their fetus, affecting them psychologically and potentially leading to negative thoughts and emotions. [ 11 , 12 ] (2) Education level and economic income: the lower the education level, the worse the economic conditions, and the more prone to depression an individual becomes. Pregnant women do not have a good understanding of their own health or that of their fetus and can be overly pessimistic.…”

Resilience and prenatal mental health in Pakistan: a qualitative inquiry

“…Depression during pregnancy can have repercussions in later life for the mother and present as eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and personality disorders [21]. Furthermore, despite the high prevalence of depression in low-and middle-income countries, mental health management is stigmatized [22][23][24]. Such stigma may compound lower self-esteem issues in these women, and decrease their help seeking behaviour [25].…”

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

“…Research has found that managing women with perinatal depression is well-known among midwives in high-income countries (HIC) [ 8 , 23 ]. In LMICs however, stigmatization and a lack of awareness of the care and management of perinatal depression among HCPs have been reported [ 24 , 25 ]. A substantial number of studies have revealed that perinatal women have been subjected to disrespectful and abusive care by HCPs, especially during childbirth [ 26 , 27 , 28 ].…”