Mental and Social Health Commons^™

A Four-Component Framework Toward Patient-Centered, Integrated Mental Healthcare In Kenya, Manasi Kumar, Thomas L. Osborn, Cyrus Mugo, Hossein Akbarialiabad, Osman Warfa, Wangui Muthigani Mbuthia, Christine Wambugu, Carol Ngunu, Fatima Gohar, Shillah Mwaniga

Brain and Mind Institute

Background: How can we fast-track the global agenda of integrated mental healthcare in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as Kenya? This is a question that has become increasingly important for individuals with lived experiences, policymakers, mental health advocates and health care providers at the local and international levels.

Discussion: This narrative synthesis and perspective piece encompasses an overview of mental health care competencies, best practices and capacity building needed to fast track patient responsive services. In that vein we also review key policy developments like UHC to make a case for fast-tracking our four-step framework.

Results: While there is …

Perinatal Depression And Its Impact On Infant Outcomes And Maternal-Nurse Sms Communication In A Cohort Of Kenyan Women, Alyssa Hummel, Keshet Ronen, Amritha Bhat, Brenda Wandika, Esther M Choo M. Choo, Lusi Osborn, Maneesh Batra, John Kinuthia, Manasi Kumar, Jennifer A. Unger

Brain and Mind Institute

Abstract: Background Perinatal depression is broadly defined as depressive symptoms during pregnancy or within the 12 months following delivery, affecting approximately 20-25% of pregnant and postpartum women in low- and middle-income countries. The wide accessibility of mobile phones allows mobile health (mHealth) interventions to be considered a solution to identify perinatal depression and provide appropriate referrals for treatment. This study, nested in a larger SMS communication project, examined the prevalence and correlates of perinatal depression, determined the association between antenatal depression and infant morbidity/mortality, and compared SMS communication patterns between women with and without perinatal depression. Methods This was a …

Mental Health During Covid-19 Pandemic Among Caregivers Of Young Children In Kenya’S Urban Informal Settlements. A Cross-Sectional Telephone Survey, Vibian Angweny, Margaret Kabue, Esther Chongwo, Adam Mabrouk, Ezra Too, Rachel Odhiambo, Carophine Nasambu, Joyce Marangu, Derrick Ssewanyana, Eunice Njoroge, Eunice Ombech, Mercy Mokaya, Emmanuel Obulemire, Anil Khamis, Amina Abubakar

Institute for Human Development

The emergence of COVID-19 has profoundly affected mental health, especially among highly vulnerable populations. This study describes mental health issues among caregivers of young children and pregnant women in three urban informal settlements in Kenya during the first pandemic year, and factors associated with poor mental health. A cross-sectional telephone survey was administered to 845 participants. Survey instruments included the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, General Anxiety Disorder-7 scale, COVID-19 Anxiety Scale, and questions on the perceived COVID-19 effects on caregiver wellbeing and livelihood. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and univariate and multivariate analysis. Caregivers perceived COVID-19 as a threatening condition …

Integrating Telepsychiatry Services In A Care Setting In Kenya: A Case Report, Frank Njenga, Linnet Ongeri, Anna Nguithi, Jacqueline Anundo, Maryann Mugane, Zawadi Kimari, Gathoni Mbugua, Cushny Kaigwa, Lukoye Atwoli

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Globally, health providers and patients alike have been forced to adapt rapidly to the use of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although telepsychiatry has been tested and found just as effective as face-to-face care, there still remains little uptake of this form of care provision in sub-Saharan Africa. This case study highlights the use of telepsychiatry in a previously telemedicine-naive private mental health facility in Kenya. We describe the challenges and lessons learned from the experience. We conclude on the need to test the effectiveness and acceptability of this mode of therapy in sub-Saharan Africa.

Covid-19 And Mental Well-Being Of Nurses In A Tertiary Facility In Kenya, Sayed Karar, Jasmit Shah, Zohray Talib

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Background: The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic is a global health emergency which has been shown to pose a great challenge to mental health, well-being and resilience of healthcare workers, especially nurses. Little is known on the impact of COVID-19 among nurses in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out between August and November 2020 among nurses recruited from the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi. The survey questionnaire consisted of six components- demographic and work title characteristics, information regarding care of COVID-19 patients, symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, distress and burnout, measured using standardized questionnaires. Multivariable logistic …

Mental Health Disorders Among Healthcare Workers During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey From Three Major Hospitals In Kenya, Jasmit Shah, Aliza Monroe-Wise, Zohray Talib, Alphonce Nabiswa, Mohammed Said, Abdulaziz Abeid, Sood Mohamed, Mohamed Ali Mohamed, Sayed Karar

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Background: COVID-19 is an international global health emergency and has posed a great challenge to mental well-being and resilience. Little is known about the mental health impact of COVID-19 among healthcare workers (HCWs) in sub-Saharan Africa or other low-resource settings.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study between August and November 2020 among HCWs recruited from three major hospitals in Kenya. The survey questionnaire consisted of six components: demographic and work title characteristics; information regarding care of patients with COVID-19; and symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, distress and burnout, measured using standardised questionnaires. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed …

Harnessing Social Media In Mental Health Practice In Kenya: A Community Case Study Report, Linnet Ongeri, Gathoni Mbugua, Frank Njenga, Anna Nguithi, Jacqueline Anundo, Maryann Mugane, Zawadi Kimari, Loice Wanjiru Cushny Kaigwa, Lukoye Atwoli

Internal Medicine, East Africa

The use of social media to increase awareness on mental health is rapidly gaining momentum globally. However, despite evidence of a growing trend in social media use in sub Saharan Africa, little has been reported on tapping the potential of social media within a mental health practice to not only increase awareness but also facilitate linkage to specialist care. We describe one such mental health practice and its process of integration of the different social media platforms to promote mental health and increase linkage to specialist care. We further highlight the challenges and practical implication of social media use in …

Exploring Community Health Worker Roles, Support, And Experiences In The Context Of The Covid-19 Pandemic In Kenya, Frontline Health Project

Reproductive Health

This brief presents quantitative results from a mixed-methods study conducted by Population Council Kenya which explores the experiences and roles of community health workers (CHWs) during COVID-19. The results indicate that CHWs are carrying out their routine work at higher levels, with increased responsibilities due to COVID-19.

Psychological And Physiological Stress And Burnout Among Maternity Providers In A Rural County In Kenya: Individual And Situational Predictors, Patience A. Afulani, Linnet Ongeri, Joyceline Kinyua, Marleen Temmerman, Wendy Berry Mendes, Sandra J. Weiss

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Background: Stress and burnout among healthcare workers has been recognized as a global crisis needing urgent attention. Yet few studies have examined stress and burnout among healthcare providers in sub-Saharan Africa, and even fewer among maternity providers who work under very stressful conditions. To address these gaps, we examined self-reported stress and burnout levels as well as stress-related physiologic measures of these providers, along with their potential predictors.

Methods: Participants included 101 maternity providers (62 nurses/midwives, 16 clinical officers/doctors, and 23 support staff) in western Kenya. Respondents completed Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale, the Shirom-Melamed Burnout scale, and other …