Stakeholders' perceptions of child and adolescent mental health services in a South African district: a qualitative study
Abstract Background In order to develop a district child and adolescent mental health (CAMH) plan, it is vital to engage with a range of stakeholders involved in providing CAMH services, given the complexities associated with delivering such services. Hence this study sought to explore multisectoral...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2020-10-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Mental Health Systems |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13033-020-00406-2 |
| _version_ | 1818552472374870016 |
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| author | Gbotemi Bukola Babatunde André Janse van Rensburg Arvin Bhana Inge Petersen |
| author_facet | Gbotemi Bukola Babatunde André Janse van Rensburg Arvin Bhana Inge Petersen |
| author_sort | Gbotemi Bukola Babatunde |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background In order to develop a district child and adolescent mental health (CAMH) plan, it is vital to engage with a range of stakeholders involved in providing CAMH services, given the complexities associated with delivering such services. Hence this study sought to explore multisectoral dynamics in providing CAMH care in one resource-constrained South African district as a case study, towards informing the development of a model for district mental health plan and generating lessons for mental health systems strengthening to support CAMH services using the Health Systems Dynamics (HSD) framework. HSD provides a suitable structure for analysing interactions between different elements within the health system and other sectors. Methods Purposive sampling of 60 key informants was conducted to obtain an in-depth understanding of various stakeholders' experiences and perceptions of the available CAMH services in the district. The participants include stakeholders from the Departments of Health (DoH), Basic Education (DBE), community-based/non-governmental organizations and caregivers of children receiving CAMH care. The data was categorized according to the elements of the HSD framework. Results The HSD framework helped in identifying the components of the health systems that are necessary for CAMH service delivery. At a district level, the shortage of human resources, un-coordinated CAMH management system, lack of intersectoral collaboration and the low priority given to the CAMH system negatively impacts on the service providers' experiences of providing CAMH services. Services users' experiences of access to available CAMH services was negatively impacted by financial restrictions, low mental health literacy and stigmatization. Nevertheless, the study participants perceived the available CAMH specialists to be competent and dedicated to delivering quality services but will benefit from systems strengthening initiatives that can expand the workforce and equip non-specialists with the required skills, resources and adequate coordination. Conclusions The need to develop the capacity of all the involved stakeholders in relation to CAMH services was imperative in the district. The need to create a mental health outreach team and equip teachers and caregivers with skills required to promote mental wellbeing, promptly identify CAMH conditions, refer appropriately and adhere to a management regimen was emphasized. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T09:13:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b50ed9124ae04adb9f9203c1786ee7cb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1752-4458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T09:13:38Z |
| publishDate | 2020-10-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Mental Health Systems |
| spelling | doaj.art-b50ed9124ae04adb9f9203c1786ee7cb2022-12-22T00:29:26ZengBMCInternational Journal of Mental Health Systems1752-44582020-10-0114111210.1186/s13033-020-00406-2Stakeholders' perceptions of child and adolescent mental health services in a South African district: a qualitative studyGbotemi Bukola Babatunde0André Janse van Rensburg1Arvin Bhana2Inge Petersen3Centre for Rural Health, School of Nursing & Public Health, University of KwaZulu-NatalCentre for Rural Health, School of Nursing & Public Health, University of KwaZulu-NatalCentre for Rural Health, School of Nursing & Public Health, University of KwaZulu-NatalCentre for Rural Health, School of Nursing & Public Health, University of KwaZulu-NatalAbstract Background In order to develop a district child and adolescent mental health (CAMH) plan, it is vital to engage with a range of stakeholders involved in providing CAMH services, given the complexities associated with delivering such services. Hence this study sought to explore multisectoral dynamics in providing CAMH care in one resource-constrained South African district as a case study, towards informing the development of a model for district mental health plan and generating lessons for mental health systems strengthening to support CAMH services using the Health Systems Dynamics (HSD) framework. HSD provides a suitable structure for analysing interactions between different elements within the health system and other sectors. Methods Purposive sampling of 60 key informants was conducted to obtain an in-depth understanding of various stakeholders' experiences and perceptions of the available CAMH services in the district. The participants include stakeholders from the Departments of Health (DoH), Basic Education (DBE), community-based/non-governmental organizations and caregivers of children receiving CAMH care. The data was categorized according to the elements of the HSD framework. Results The HSD framework helped in identifying the components of the health systems that are necessary for CAMH service delivery. At a district level, the shortage of human resources, un-coordinated CAMH management system, lack of intersectoral collaboration and the low priority given to the CAMH system negatively impacts on the service providers' experiences of providing CAMH services. Services users' experiences of access to available CAMH services was negatively impacted by financial restrictions, low mental health literacy and stigmatization. Nevertheless, the study participants perceived the available CAMH specialists to be competent and dedicated to delivering quality services but will benefit from systems strengthening initiatives that can expand the workforce and equip non-specialists with the required skills, resources and adequate coordination. Conclusions The need to develop the capacity of all the involved stakeholders in relation to CAMH services was imperative in the district. The need to create a mental health outreach team and equip teachers and caregivers with skills required to promote mental wellbeing, promptly identify CAMH conditions, refer appropriately and adhere to a management regimen was emphasized.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13033-020-00406-2Mental health servicesChild and adolescent mental healthDistrict child and adolescent mental health planDistrict mental health servicesIntersectoral collaboration |
| spellingShingle | Gbotemi Bukola Babatunde André Janse van Rensburg Arvin Bhana Inge Petersen Stakeholders' perceptions of child and adolescent mental health services in a South African district: a qualitative study International Journal of Mental Health Systems Mental health services Child and adolescent mental health District child and adolescent mental health plan District mental health services Intersectoral collaboration |
| title | Stakeholders' perceptions of child and adolescent mental health services in a South African district: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Stakeholders' perceptions of child and adolescent mental health services in a South African district: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Stakeholders' perceptions of child and adolescent mental health services in a South African district: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Stakeholders' perceptions of child and adolescent mental health services in a South African district: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Stakeholders' perceptions of child and adolescent mental health services in a South African district: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | stakeholders perceptions of child and adolescent mental health services in a south african district a qualitative study |
| topic | Mental health services Child and adolescent mental health District child and adolescent mental health plan District mental health services Intersectoral collaboration |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13033-020-00406-2 |
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