Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Reproductive Healthcare Workers on Peripartum Depression in Kiambu County, Kenya

Abstract

Introduction: Peripartum depression has been cited as an illness that has a huge significance on mental health worldwide because it’s a condition that is underrecognized and not treated often. Healthcare professionals are instrumental in recognizing and intervening in patients with perinatal mental health problems. As such, routine screening for perinatal depression by healthcare providers is prefaced by their awareness, practices and knowledge of its consequences and signs. However, several studies have indicated that in most primary care settings, receiving appropriate care that is timely is preceded by the attitude of the healthcare workers towards mental illnesses. In Kenya, available research has detailed occurrence and risk factors of perinatal depression as well validation of various screening tools. Like other low-income countries, little is, however, known about the healthcare providers’ efforts in terms of their knowledge, attitude and practices towards perinatal depression in Kenya. Aim: To determine the knowledge, attitude and practices of reproductive healthcare workers on peripartum depression. Method: This was a cross-sectional study design. Using the revised depression attitude questionnaire(R-DAQ), the reproductive healthcare workers in the obstetrics and gynaecology department in Kiambu, Thika and Gatundu Level 5 hospitals, were assessed for their knowledge, attitude and practices on peripartum depression. Data was then double-checked before entry into Excel Spread sheet and then exported to Statistical Package for Social Studies version 23 for descriptive statistics, while tests for association were done using ANOVA, t-test and Pearson correlation. 14 Results: The KAP score of the reproductive healthcare workers in Kiambu County was high, with the knowledge subscale having a score of 40.3/50 (80.6%), an attitude subscale score of 21.5/25 (86%) and a practice subscale score of 24.5/35 (70%). There was no association between the KAP score and the sociodemographic variables. Conclusion: Despite the high scores in the knowledge, attitude and practice subscales, there is still more room for improvement in management of peripartum depression to enhance diagnosis and appropriate referral. More training is required as most participants preferred to deal with patients with physical ailments than with depression and showed low confidence in suicide risk assessment.