Original Research Article
Year: 2021 | Month: December | Volume: 11 | Issue: 12 | Pages: 9-15
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20211202
Establishing Approaches and Practices Used by Midwives in Mental Health Assessment of Pregnant Women Making Visits to Antenatal Clinics in Public Health Facilities in Tharaka Nithi County
Kawira DM1, Gitonga LK2, Mukhwana ES3
1,2,3Department of Nursing, Chuka University, P.O Box 109-60400, Chuka, Kenya.
Corresponding Author: Kawira DM
ABSTRACT
Mental health assessment is a critical practice to promote quality health among pregnant women and unborn children. The approaches and practices that midwives adopt at the antenatal clinics determined the mental health assessment success and the effectiveness of the subsequent treatment. Different studies concerning maternal mental health assessment have focused on issues of prevalence, barriers, and factors hindering or promoting assessment. However, there are limited studies exploring approaches and practices that enhance mental health screening. A sample of 45 midwives and 85 pregnant women was selected from public health facilities in TNC. Analysis of data and coding was done using SPSS with results presented in tables, bar graphs, and pie charts. Only 14% of midwives used training as an approach towards promoting mental health. Both midwives and pregnant women registered low involvement in providing information. The county government and the hospitals’ stakeholders should invest in approaches and practices that prioritize mental health assessment to prevent any mental health complications among pregnant women.
Key words: Maternal mental health; mental health assessment, pregnant women, midwives, approaches and practices.