Masters Degrees (Psychiatry)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Psychiatry) by Author "Jacobs, Moezna"

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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.