Perinatal depression training among physicians and nurses in a resource-poor setting

Pregnancy and postpartum are vulnerable periods for maternal mental health conditions. Maternal depression may also be associated with poor infant health outcomes. As developing countries such as Ghana have few mental health providers, perinatal depression screening and management relies on primary care providers and obstetricians. The purpose of this study was to investigate providers' views of and training in perinatal depression identification and management in Kumasi, Ghana. Between June 2012 – July 2012, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 physicians and nurses from the departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Family Medicine at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, Ghana. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Results were coded and grouped to elucidate themes regarding providers' perspectives on perinatal depression training and their role in treatment of mental health conditions. 14 of 24 providers reported lack of training in identification and management of perinatal depression. 24 of 24 providers stated needing more practical training such as clinical workshops on depression. Providers also specified that training would be useful particularly when clinicians must serve in less specialized settings such as district-level hospitals. These results reveal that the majority of providers believe perinatal depression training is valuable for improving patient treatment in their fields, yet report inadequate training in depression management. Considering the shortage of mental health providers in Ghana, medical education should integrate more clinical training in mental health for primary care providers and obstetricians who play significant roles in prevention and management of perinatal depression.