Date of Award

11-30-2020

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MSc in Nursing

First Advisor

Dr. David Arthur

Second Advisor

Dr. Shahirose Sadrudin Premji

Third Advisor

Ms. Kiran Shaikh

Department

School of Nursing and Midwifery, Pakistan

Abstract

Objective;The aim of the study was to assess the perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs of HCPs (registered midwives, registered nurses, and doctors), working in four private secondary hospitals (including three in Karachi and one in Hyderabad) in Pakistan, about perinatal mental distress.
/="/">Methodology:A cross-sectional survey study design was used to recruit a total of 137 out of 152 (90% response rate) healthcare professionals (HCPs) working in the maternal and newborn area of the four secondary hospitals (Garden, Karimabad, Kharadar, & Hyderabad). Data was collected through online perinatal mental health questionnaire that assessed perceptions and beliefs in three distinct areas: a) knowledge and confidence through Perinatal Mental Health Awareness Scale, b) causes and consequences of perinatal mental illness through Perinatal Illness Perception Scale, and c) perceptions of issues faced by HCP through Professional Issues in Maternal Mental Health Scale. Attitude was assessed through Mental Illness Clinicians’ Attitude scale (MICA v4).
/="/">A cross-sectional survey study design was used to recruit a total of 137 out of 152 (90% response rate) healthcare professionals (HCPs) working in the maternal and newborn area of the four secondary hospitals (Garden, Karimabad, Kharadar, & Hyderabad). Data was collected through online perinatal mental health questionnaire that assessed perceptions and beliefs in three distinct areas: a) knowledge and confidence through Perinatal Mental Health Awareness Scale, b) causes and consequences of perinatal mental illness through Perinatal Illness Perception Scale, and c) perceptions of issues faced by HCP through Professional Issues in Maternal Mental Health Scale. Attitude was assessed through Mental Illness Clinicians’ Attitude scale (MICA v4).
/="/">Results:HCPs working in maternal specialty included registered midwives (41.6%), registered nurses (24.8%), as well as doctors (33.6%) had median age and experience of 32years and 6years respectively. HCP generally perceived they had adequate knowledge about perinatal mental health conditions such as stress (67.2%), anxiety (61.6%), and depression (54%). With regard to confidence, highest level of confidence was found for managing stress (54.8%), followed by depression (52.5%) whereas, least confidence was reported for managing anxiety (48.9%). The 5 perceived barrier to identification of perinatal mental health issues were lack of comfort (65%), insufficient time (59.8%) and lack of training (59.8%). With regards to attitudes, midwives reported more negative attitudes towards mental health issues compared to nurses and doctors.
/="/">Conclusion: Perceived knowledge does not imply actual knowledge thus there may be significant gaps in knowledge about perinatal mental health. This can impact timely identification and referral of women with mental illness during pregnancy. However, the HCPs reported barriers to identification and management of perinatal mental health are lack of emotional preparedness (65%), Lack of time and training (59.8%). Moreover, socio-cultural stigma may be a strong factor influencing their attitude towards mental illness. Strategies need to be explored and planned for HCPs to reduce the negative and stigmatizing attitudes towards mental health.

First Page

1

Last Page

128

Download

Share

COinS