Challenges of Perinatal Depression Care in Mexico City Health Centers
Laura Navarrete,1,2 Ma Asunción Lara,1 Shoshana Berenzon,1 Jazmin Mora-Rios1 1Directorate of Epidemiological and Psychosocial Research, National Institute of Psychiatry “Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz”, Mexico City, Mexico; 2Doctorate Program in Medical, Odontology and Health Sciences of the National Auto...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Dove Medical Press
2022-12-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Women's Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.dovepress.com/challenges-of-perinatal-depression-care-in-mexico-city-health-centers-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-IJWH |
| _version_ | 1811212891157692416 |
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| author | Navarrete L Lara MA Berenzon S Mora-Rios J |
| author_facet | Navarrete L Lara MA Berenzon S Mora-Rios J |
| author_sort | Navarrete L |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Laura Navarrete,1,2 Ma Asunción Lara,1 Shoshana Berenzon,1 Jazmin Mora-Rios1 1Directorate of Epidemiological and Psychosocial Research, National Institute of Psychiatry “Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz”, Mexico City, Mexico; 2Doctorate Program in Medical, Odontology and Health Sciences of the National Autonomous, University of Mexico, Mexico City, MexicoCorrespondence: Ma Asunción Lara, Tel +52 55 4160 5170, Fax +52 55 5513 3446, Email laracan@imp.edu.mxBackground: Perinatal depression is a common mental disorder regarded as a severe public health problem. Studies have shown that incorporating mental health care into primary health services that provide pregnancy care makes it easier for women to seek help for depressive symptoms. In this context, the following question is of interest: How prepared are primary health services in Mexico City that provide pregnancy and postpartum care to treat perinatal depression? This article seeks to explore the perceptions and knowledge of perinatal depression in health professionals and analyze the barriers to its care at primary care centers in Mexico City.Methods: An exploratory study with a qualitative approach was conducted. Doctors, nurses, social workers who provide maternal and childcare, mental health personnel, and the directors of four centers were interviewed. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed for thematic analysis.Results: Most primary care personnel are unaware of the Official Standard that recommends providing maternal mental health care during the perinatal period. There is no initiative for its incorporation into routine care. A significant barrier to its implementation is health professionals’ biased, stereotyped perception of perinatal depression, motherhood, and the role of women. Other barriers include the workload of health professionals, the division of care between professionals, and the lack of communication between the latter. Women with psychological symptoms are not referred to mental health staff in a timely manner. Social workers are in closer contact with women and are more willing to address their emotional distress.Conclusion: Maternal mental health care, contingent on pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium care at primary care centers is currently not possible due to the lack of knowledge, barriers, and directors’ dependence on hospital management decisions.Keywords: maternal mental health, perinatal depression, primary health care |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T05:36:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b487ce268a2f464d9cb118cdc6049fed |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1179-1411 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T05:36:58Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | Dove Medical Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Women's Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-b487ce268a2f464d9cb118cdc6049fed2022-12-22T03:45:49ZengDove Medical PressInternational Journal of Women's Health1179-14112022-12-01Volume 141667167980107Challenges of Perinatal Depression Care in Mexico City Health CentersNavarrete LLara MABerenzon SMora-Rios JLaura Navarrete,1,2 Ma Asunción Lara,1 Shoshana Berenzon,1 Jazmin Mora-Rios1 1Directorate of Epidemiological and Psychosocial Research, National Institute of Psychiatry “Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz”, Mexico City, Mexico; 2Doctorate Program in Medical, Odontology and Health Sciences of the National Autonomous, University of Mexico, Mexico City, MexicoCorrespondence: Ma Asunción Lara, Tel +52 55 4160 5170, Fax +52 55 5513 3446, Email laracan@imp.edu.mxBackground: Perinatal depression is a common mental disorder regarded as a severe public health problem. Studies have shown that incorporating mental health care into primary health services that provide pregnancy care makes it easier for women to seek help for depressive symptoms. In this context, the following question is of interest: How prepared are primary health services in Mexico City that provide pregnancy and postpartum care to treat perinatal depression? This article seeks to explore the perceptions and knowledge of perinatal depression in health professionals and analyze the barriers to its care at primary care centers in Mexico City.Methods: An exploratory study with a qualitative approach was conducted. Doctors, nurses, social workers who provide maternal and childcare, mental health personnel, and the directors of four centers were interviewed. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed for thematic analysis.Results: Most primary care personnel are unaware of the Official Standard that recommends providing maternal mental health care during the perinatal period. There is no initiative for its incorporation into routine care. A significant barrier to its implementation is health professionals’ biased, stereotyped perception of perinatal depression, motherhood, and the role of women. Other barriers include the workload of health professionals, the division of care between professionals, and the lack of communication between the latter. Women with psychological symptoms are not referred to mental health staff in a timely manner. Social workers are in closer contact with women and are more willing to address their emotional distress.Conclusion: Maternal mental health care, contingent on pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium care at primary care centers is currently not possible due to the lack of knowledge, barriers, and directors’ dependence on hospital management decisions.Keywords: maternal mental health, perinatal depression, primary health carehttps://www.dovepress.com/challenges-of-perinatal-depression-care-in-mexico-city-health-centers-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-IJWHmaternal mental healthperinatal depressionprimary health care |
| spellingShingle | Navarrete L Lara MA Berenzon S Mora-Rios J Challenges of Perinatal Depression Care in Mexico City Health Centers International Journal of Women's Health maternal mental health perinatal depression primary health care |
| title | Challenges of Perinatal Depression Care in Mexico City Health Centers |
| title_full | Challenges of Perinatal Depression Care in Mexico City Health Centers |
| title_fullStr | Challenges of Perinatal Depression Care in Mexico City Health Centers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Challenges of Perinatal Depression Care in Mexico City Health Centers |
| title_short | Challenges of Perinatal Depression Care in Mexico City Health Centers |
| title_sort | challenges of perinatal depression care in mexico city health centers |
| topic | maternal mental health perinatal depression primary health care |
| url | https://www.dovepress.com/challenges-of-perinatal-depression-care-in-mexico-city-health-centers-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-IJWH |
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