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Original Research
Adolescent mothers: A qualitative study on barriers and facilitators to mental health in a low-resource setting in Cape Town, South Africa
Submitted: 21 October 2019 | Published: 28 May 2020
About the author(s)
Sally Field, Perinatal Mental Health Project, Alan J. Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South AfricaZulfa Abrahams, Perinatal Mental Health Project, Alan J. Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Simone Honikman, Perinatal Mental Health Project, Alan J. Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Abstract
Background: Pregnant and postnatal adolescent women are a high-risk group for common mental disorders (CMDs); however, they have low levels of engagement and retention with mental health services. Negative consequences of CMDs have been documented for both mother and child.
Aim: The study aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators to service access for adolescents in low-resource settings.
Setting: We interviewed 12 adolescents, aged 15–19 years, from low-resource settings in Cape Town, South Africa. Participants had previously engaged with a mental health service, integrated into maternity care.
Methods: Twelve semi-structured, individual interviews were used for this qualitative study. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and coded. A framework analysis was employed for data analysis.
Results: Adolescents perceived considerable stigma around both teenage pregnancy and mental illness, which inhibited use of mental health services. Other barriers included fearing a lack of confidentiality as well as logistical and environmental obstacles. Service uptake was facilitated by support from other adults and flexible appointment times. Face-to-face individual counselling was their preferred format for a mental health intervention.
Conclusion: Several key components for adolescent-friendly mental health services emerged from our findings: integrate routine mental health screening into existing obstetric services to de-stigmatise mental health problems and optimise screening coverage; coordinate obstetric and counselling appointment times to rationalise the use of limited resources; and sensitise care providers to the needs of adolescents to reduce stigma around adolescent sexual activity and mental illness. A non-judgemental, caring and confidential relationship between counsellors and clients is crucial for successful interactions.
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