An assessment of the Prevalence and Social determinants of Maternal Mental Disorders in Kenya: a case study of three counties.

Abstract

Mental illness is a common occurrence in the event of pregnancy and one year postpartum. In essence, all women can develop mental disorders in the course of pregnancy and in the year postpartum, however gender disparities in socio-economic and legal environment increases the risks significantly by constraining opportunities for women to control the social determinants of their health. The study sought to examine the social determinants of maternal mental health disorders and to assess the status of women in Kenya against the social risk factors of maternal mental disorders. Descriptive-research design was adopted for this study. The researcher collected data through desktop research. It mainly used data as captured by the KDHS (2014) and from other published materials. Findings from the studies in three counties in Kenya revealed that women who tested positive for common mental disorders were mostly having financial problems, did not get support in domestic work, experienced physical or verbal abuse. The analysis of the social risk factors of CPMD using KDHS data found that social inequalities including education, economic opportunities, gender relations and access to appropriate mental health services which increases the risks of developing mental health disorders. The study concluded that while majority of the pregnant and postpartum women have visited ANC at a health facility, the ANC does not cater for perinal mental health care services. The study recommended integration of CPMD in MCH care services. It is also recommended for KNBS to provide relevant data on maternal mental health.