Abstract:
Background
The purpose of this study is to assess beliefs and attitudes and test a sustainable and low cost
intervention to improve the mental health of mothers. It is unclear how women’s experiences of
PND influence their beliefs and attitudes and their choice to seek help. We will also assess the
level of efficacy of community-based emotional and information support intervention.
Methods
A qualitative study was conducted to assessing perceptions of pregnant women and new
mothers about their perception of community-based-intervention addressing maternal mental
health in Rwanda. Twelve in-depth interviews and 8 focus group discussions were conducted in
Bugesera district of the Eastern Province. Data were collected in Kinyarwanda and analyzed
using a content analysis approach.
Results
Findings suggest the lived experience of PND and associated attitudes and beliefs result in
significant barriers to accessing help. Findingns were grouped in five three main themes: (1)
stigma and denial; (2) poor mental health awareness; and (3) interpersonal support and other
attitudes observed among participants. The community-based preventive and early
psychosocial interventions addressing some of the mental health issues among mothers
revealed of big role in changing mindset.
Conclusion
There is a better understanding of how a mother’s lived experience of postnatal mental illness
and her associated attitudes and beliefs that may form barriers to her help seeking. This
understanding allows those involved in the care and treatment of these mothers to be better
placed to help them restructure their perceptions about the disorder.
