Masters Degrees (Psychiatry)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Psychiatry) by browse.metadata.advisor "Lachman, Anusha"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
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    Experiences of Xhosa women providing kangaroo mother care in a tertiary hospital in the Western Cape, South Africa
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-12) Mpongwana-Ncetani, Sibongile; Lachman, Anusha; Roomaney, Rizwana; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Psychiatry.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: Kangaroo mother care (KMC) has been recognized as one of the interventions to improve preterm birth outcomes by the World Health Organization. KMC requires high user engagement and consists of continuous skin‐to‐skin contact between the mother and infant and exclusive breastfeeding. We conducted a qualitative study of Xhosa women (n=10) practicing KMC in a tertiary hospital in the Western Cape, South Africa. All interviews were conducted in IsiXhosa, audio recorded, and transcribed. The transcribed data were analysed using thematic analysis. Four themes emerged: (1) KMC, a beneficial but foreign concept; (2) distress in the KMC ward; due to factors like poor milk supply, uncomfortable nursing positions and sleep deprivation; (3) themissing umbilical cord: experiences ofmothers in theKMC ward reflecting on respect for cultural and traditional practices but having limited knowledge of its significance themselves; and (4) the KMC village: interpersonal relations in the ward that oscillates between staff and fellow patient mothers. Our study showed that cultural practices still pose a challenge to fully accepting KMC. We suggest more studies on cultural sensitivity to encourage acceptance of interventions that affect culturally diverse groups.
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    The impact of perinatal trauma and HIV exposure on maternal mental health and infant social-emotional development in Khayelitsha, South Africa.
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-12) Motingoe, Kediemetse; Lachman, Anusha; Laughton, Barbara; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Psychiatry.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: There is limited knowledge on the impact of HIV and trauma exposure on maternal mental health and infant social-emotional development. This study investigated pregnant women living with HIV, with either late or early initiation of antiretroviral therapy, and those not living with HIV and their infants. These mother-child dyads were followed up for 12 months postnatally. Maternal trauma levels, infant social withdrawal and symbolic play were evaluated using the Harvard Trauma Scale, Alarm distress baby scale, and the Belsky tests, respectively. This study showed low rates of PTSD compared to previous studies in this setting, with HIV status not showing significant differences in trauma exposure. There was insignificant impact of maternal HIV and trauma causing infant withdrawal and poor symbolic play. Larger, longer-term studies are necessary for further exploration.
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    Infant malnutrition and maternal mental health in home based care
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-03) Jacobs, Moezna; Lachman, Anusha; Van Niekerk, Evette; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Psychiatry.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY : Background: Maternal mental health is of critical importance in the early years of childhood due to its impact on the short and long term outcomes of the child and the caregiver. The combination of women’s vulnerability to depression and their responsibility of childcare suggests that maternal mental health could have a significant effect on the growth of children. Objectives: This study sought to describe the mental health status of mothers receiving home based care in the Nomzamo area in the Helderberg basin of the Cape Metropole, and to determine whether there were higher rates of malnutrition in infants 0-24 months amongst mentally-ill mothers compared to well mothers Design:A descriptive, quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted and included mothers taking care of 0-24 month old infants, receiving home based care. Outcome measures: Maternal Mental health was screened using the PHQ 9, GAD 7 and 3 CPMD questionnaire. Infant weight-for-age, height-for-age and weight-for-height z-scores were measured. Results: 14% of mothers experienced symptoms of anxiety, 22% experienced symptoms of depression and 18% of mothers had a suicide risk. The majority of infants (86%) had a normal weigh-for-age, and a normal height-for-age (90%). We found no association between malnutrition and maternal health. There were significant associations between depression and male infant gender, marital status, accommodation and level of education of the mothers. Conclusions: Maternal mental health rates were consistent with previous studies done in Western Cape and LMICs. The rates of malnutrition were lower than expected and this could be attributed to the support given by community health workers. There were no positive associations found between maternal mental health and malnutrition in this sample. Further research is needed in this area.
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    Maternal perinatal risk factors for adolescent mood disorders in an inpatient setting
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-03) Ndlela, Nhlanhla Lucky; Adams, Amy S.; Lachman, Anusha; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Psychiatry.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY : Background: One of the major factors known to affect the psychological wellbeing of youth is the mental health of their caregivers. Women/mothers are typically the primary caregivers in South Africa. Previous studies have highlighted a positive relationship between maternal mental disorders and poor adolescent outcomes. This study aimed to identify the possible risk factors that are associated with the development and progression of mood disorders in an adolescent population from the Western Cape, South Africa. Methods: This descriptive study involved a retrospective record review of all patients admitted to Tygerberg adolescent psychiatric inpatient unit during the period 2015 to 2017. The study sample consisted of 10 male and 27 female research participants. Continuous variables were summarized as mean and standard deviation, while nominal variables were summarized as counts and percentages. Results: The research findings identified a number of possible maternal risk factors associated with the development of adolescent mood disorders. These risk factors include a history of maternal psychiatric illness, maternal postpartum depression, domestic violence, adolescent bereavement and maternal substance use during and after pregnancy. Conclusion: Mothers with a history of psychiatric disorders need further psycho-education regarding the possible impact of these risk factors on the mental health of their children.
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    The mental health of caregivers of children with atopic dermatitis at Tygerberg hospital
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-12) Suresh, Shwetha; Lachman, Anusha; Kannenberg, Suretha; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Psychiatry.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic and often debilitating illness for children but also has a significant effect on caregiver quality of life (QOL) and mental health. Aim: To explore the relationship between AD in children on the QOL and the mental health of their caregivers. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients and their caregivers attending the Dermatology Clinic at Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. Participants were recruited between February 2021 and August 2021. Results: Most of the children in this study experienced mild AD symptoms. Almost 90% of the children had an identifiable trigger, with the most common triggers being an environmental temperature change (66.7%) and stress (57.4%). We noted a weak but significant correlation between QOL and AD severity (rs = 0.395, p = 0.003) and a strong positive correlation between the caregivers’ QOL and their mental health (rs = 0.650, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The use of uncomplicated and rapid screening tools for caregiver mental health and QOL should be implemented when treating patients with AD. Understanding the burden and allowing room for mitigation of these modifiable factors will play a large role in ensuring a better therapeutic outcome for those children with a chronic illness like AD.
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    Problematic feeding behaviours in infants and the mental health of their caregivers : a descriptive study at two public health care facilities in the Western Cape
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-03) Subramoney, Jeannine; Lachman, Anusha; Van Niekerk, Evette; Berg, Astrid
    ENGLISH SUMMARY : Background: Maternal mental health (MMH) is considered a risk factor for feeding difficulties in young children. Problematic eating behaviour may not pose an immediate physical health threat; however, long-term poor dietary intake is a known contributor towards poor developmental outcomes. Objectives: To describe the common mental health symptomatic status of mothers of children (1-3 years old) that present with problematic feeding behaviours at government health sites in Atlantis and a nonprofit organization – Courage-to-Care in the Western Cape. Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design with purposive sampling, 16 mother-child dyads were recruited. Problematic feeding behaviours were screened for using the Montreal Children’s Hospital feeding scale and anthropometric measurements were used for growth development. MMH was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item and the Common Perinatal Mental Disorders screening tools. Results: Infants had a current median (IQR) age of 22 (18.00-36.00) months. Most infants had normal growth development. However, 43% of infants scored as having severe feeding difficulties. Mothers had a mean (SD) age of 28.40 (7.03) years with 18% reporting severe anxiety symptoms and 25% with severe depressive symptoms. Suicide risk was high (50%). Infants with severe feeding difficulties were noted for 25% of mothers with severe depression and 32% of the mothers that screened in the suicidal risk category. Conclusions: The findings suggest that MMH screenings should be integrated at baby wellness clinics to help mothers who may be experiencing common mental health disorders to seek early intervention at primary health care settings.