Mental health of mothers in Zambia improved
Published: Friday, Nov 8th 2024, 17:00
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A health intervention for women with young children in Zambia has improved the mental health of those affected in 50 percent of cases. According to a study, the intervention also had a positive effect on the women's autonomy and economic situation.
An earlier study by the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) found that one in four mothers in Zambia face high levels of psychological distress due to food, income and housing insecurity as well as gender-based violence.
The scientists therefore developed a new health intervention aimed at mothers with children under the age of five. They tested its feasibility, acceptance and impact. The results were recently published in the journal "The Lancet Psychiatry", as detailed in a press release from Swiss TPH.
A total of 265 women took part in the study. The ten sessions - at home or by telephone - included practical exercises such as breathing techniques and coping strategies as well as topics relating to child development, self-care and healthy lifestyle habits such as good sleep and alcohol prevention.
Positive results
The results of the study were very encouraging: 80 percent of participants completed the intervention and 90 percent were very satisfied with the program. More importantly, the intervention reduced mental health symptoms by 50 percent after six months.
The results of the study showed that culturally sensitive psychosocial interventions delivered by trained community health workers can significantly reduce psychological distress in women with young children in low- and middle-income countries.
The intervention not only improved the mothers' mental well-being, but also had a positive effect on their relationship with their children, according to the report. Some participants also reported economic improvements, such as the establishment of small businesses or the sale of home-grown vegetables.
According to Irene Falgas-Bague, project leader at Swiss TPH and lead author of the publication, the success of this intervention suggests that it could be adapted and implemented in other countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
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