Tools for screening maternal mental health conditions in primary care settings in sub-Saharan Africa: systematic review.

Journal: Frontiers in public health

Volume: 12

Issue: 

Year of Publication: 2024

Affiliated Institutions:  Pantang Hospital, Accra, Ghana. Dodowa Health Research Centre, Research and Development Division, Ghana Health Service, Dodowa, Ghana. Department of Epidemiology and Disease Control, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana. Institutional Care Division, Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana. Nossal Institute for Global Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.

Abstract summary 

In sub-Saharan Africa, pregnant and postpartum women with mental health problems are often missed in healthcare systems. To address this, a practical and simple screening tool for maternal mental health should be available to primary healthcare workers. An important step toward having such a tool is to assess the existing tools and their effectiveness in primary care settings.We systematically searched PubMed, LILAC, CINAHL, Google Scholar, African Index Medicus, HINARI, and African Journals Online from inception to 31 January 2023, without language restriction. Reference lists of retrieved articles were reviewed and experts in the field were contacted for studies not captured by our searches. All retrieved records were collated in Endnote, de-duplicated, and exported to Rayyan for screening. Study selection and data extraction were done by at least two reviewers using a pre-tested flow chart and data extraction form. Disagreements between reviewers were resolved through discussion. We contacted primary authors for missing or insufficient information and conducted a content analysis of the psychometric properties of the tools.In total, 1,181 studies were retrieved by our searches, of which 119 studies were included in this review. A total of 74 out of 119 studies (62%) were screened for depression during pregnancy and or the postpartum period. The Edinburg Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) were the most commonly used tools. In total, 12 studies reported specificity and sensitivity for tools for measuring depression (EPDS, PHQ-9, and Whooley) and psychological distress [Self Report Questionnaire (SRQ) and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (KPDS)]. The average sensitivity and specificity of the EPDS reported were 75.5 and 76.5%, respectively, at a cut-off of ≥13. The EPDS appears to be the most acceptable, adaptable, user-friendly, and effective in screening for maternal mental health conditions during pregnancy and postpartum. However, the methodological approach varied for a particular tool, and documentation on the attributes was scanty.The EPDS was the most commonly used tool and considered as most acceptable, adaptable, user-friendly, and effective. Information on the performance and psychometric properties of the vast majority of screening tools was limited.https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022323558, identifier CRD42022323558 (PROSPERO).

Authors & Co-authors:  Gyimah Leveana L Agyepong Irene Akua IA Owiredu David D Awini Elizabeth E Yevoo Linda Lucy LL Ashinyo Mary Eyram ME Aye Sorre Grace Emmanuelle Victoire SGEV Abbas Shazra S Cronin de Chavez Anna A Mirzoev Tolib T Danso-Appiah Anthony A

Study Outcome 

Source Link: Visit source

Statistics
Citations :  Bjegovic-mikanovic V, Broniatowski R, Byepu S, Laaser U. A gap analysis of mother, new-born, and child health in West Africa with reference to the sustainable development goals 2030. Afr J Reprod Health. (2018) 22:123–34. doi: 10.29063/ajrh2018/v22i4.13, PMID:
Authors :  11
Identifiers
Doi : 1321689
SSN : 2296-2565
Study Population
Female,Women
Mesh Terms
Humans
Other Terms
diagnostic tools;maternal mental health;mental conditions;mental disorders;postpartum women;pregnant women;primary care;screening tools
Study Design
Study Approach
Systemic Review
Country of Study
Publication Country
Switzerland