By Samira Larbie, GNA
Accra, March 23, GNA – BasicNeeds-Ghana has asked healthcare service providers to look beyond the physical needs of pregnant women and provide them with psycho-social support to enhance their mental well-being.
Mr Peter Yaro, the Executive Director of BasicNeeds-Ghana, said it was important for maternal and child welfare clinics to also include counselling support services for mothers and children.
He said this was crucial because a project undertaken by his outfit revealed that mental health issues during pregnancy and childbirth were real and needed much attention.
Mr Yaro made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on women and mental health in Accra.
He said, “The package of services for pregnant women and mothers must transcend just antenatal visits, distribution of vitamins to supporting them with psycho-social care and needs that can help them cope especially with postpartum depression.”
Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a medical condition that many women experience after having a baby. It is a strong feeling of sadness, anxiety (worry) and tiredness that lasts for a long time after giving birth.
People with mental health issues have signs of feeling anxious or worried, feel depressed or unhappy, have emotional outbursts, sleep problems, weight, or appetite changes, become quiet or withdrawn than usual, substance abuse, feel guilty or worthless.
Globally, the prevalence of maternal mental health problems is estimated to range from 18 per cent to 38 per cent.
In low and middle-income countries (LMICs), including Ghana, the prevalence rate is reportedly higher ranging from 15 per cent to 57per cent (Lund et al., 2014).
Studies have shown that the weighted mean prevalence rates is 15.6 per cent during prenatal period and 19.8 per cent for postnatal period.
In Ghana, a post-partum depression prevalence of 8.6 per cent, 3.1 per cent and 41 per cent have been reported among women who delivered at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
Mr Yaro explained that pregnant women and newly delivered mothers experienced depressive conditions and the challenges of having new babies, which needed more clinical attention to improve their well-being.
He said women, due to their unique needs, were vulnerable and as such there was the need to pay closer attention to their mental health.
The Executive Director called for social protection schemes targeted at vulnerable women and children, adding that some of the schemes currently available with all the good intentions usually missed out on targeting.
Mr Yaro mentioned that maternal and mental health problems were major public health issues and urged the citizens to visit hospitals when experiencing the signs and symptoms.
GNA