Maternal mental health symptoms are positively associated with child dietary diversity and meal frequency but not nutritional status in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (10) ◽  
pp. 1810-1819
Author(s):  
Jillian A Emerson ◽  
Laura E Caulfield ◽  
Espoir Musafiri Kishimata ◽  
Jean-Pierre Nzanzu ◽  
Shannon Doocy
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Maternal Mental Health ◽  
Meal Frequency ◽  
Z Score ◽  
High Distress

AbstractObjective:The objective was to examine the association between symptoms of maternal mental health problems and child diet and nutritional status in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo.Design:Maternal depression and anxiety symptoms were measured by the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 (HSCL-25), and post-traumatic stress was measured by the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ). Participants were classified as having high psychological distress if their mean item score was in the upper quartile of both measures. Dependent variables included child dietary diversity, meal frequency, height-for-age z score (HAZ), weight-for-age z score (WAZ), weight-for-height z score (WHZ), stunting and underweight. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted.Setting:The study was nested in a larger quasi-experimental study evaluating Jenga Jamaa II, a food and nutrition assistance project in Uvira and Fizi territories.Participants:In total, 812 mother–child pairs participated. Children ranged from 2·6 to 5·6 years of age.Results:HSCL-25 (ß: 0·18, P < 0·05) and HTQ (ß: 0·19, P < 0·05) were statistically significantly associated with higher dietary diversity scores, and all maternal mental health measures were associated with higher meal frequency (HSCL-25: ß: 0·13, P = 0·001; HTQ: ß: 0·12, P = 0·001; high distress: ß: 0·15, P < 0·05) and consumption of at least three meals/snacks per day (HSCL-25: OR: 2·06, HTQ: OR: 1·93, high distress: OR: 2·68, P < 0·001 for all). No significant associations were found with HAZ, WAZ, WHZ, stunting or underweight indicators.Conclusions:More severe symptoms of maternal mental health problems were positively associated with child diet, but not anthropometry indicators. More research is needed to understand the role of maternal mental health in child feeding practices in food insecure and resource-poor settings.

Lock-down, social distancing and mental health during the covid-19 pandemic: perspectives, challenges, and opportunities in African settings: A Case of Democratic Republic of Congo (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mutume Vivalya ◽  
Jimmy BEN FORRY ◽  
Okesina AKEEM AYODEJI ◽  
Kalima Nzanzu Adelard ◽  
Paluku Mwalitsa Jean-Paul ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Therapy Strategy

UNSTRUCTURED The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the resolution of a total lockdown both developed and developing countries. The lock-down has worsened the prevailing economic crisis, affected the health and political system, exacerbated unemployment levels and cost of managing health conditions in African settings and especially the Democratic Republic of Congo; which tends to have detrimental effects on the mental health of the affected population. Also, it is extremely expensive to access professional health care services. We ought to provide insight into policy-relevant approaches including integrative community based organization, digital heath, systematic screening of mental health problems in primary health care, given that failure to treat those who are emotionally affected will result in long-term social and economic outcomes and costs to society. The primary health workers should be trained on mental health care delivered through the internet and digital support. Helping affected community by COVID-19 to feel mentally better will require the integration of online telehealth among primary health care for the online mental health screening and psychotherapy centred on a supportive therapy strategy, anger/stress management, and the establishing of integrative community based organisation. Any partners during the COVID-19 should plan for the workshop on online mental health services and training to allow its integration and the reportage from patient’s home to the health centres and hospitals.

scholarly journals Economic, social and mental health impacts of an economic intervention for female sexual violence survivors in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Bass ◽  
S. Murray ◽  
G. Cole ◽  
P. Bolton ◽  
C. Poulton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Per Capita

Background.Conflict-affected communities face poverty and mental health problems, with sexual violence survivors at high risk for both given their trauma history and potential for exclusion from economic opportunity. To address these problems, we conducted a randomized controlled trial of a group-based economic intervention, Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLA), for female sexual violence survivors in the Democratic Republic of Congo.Methods.In March 2011, 66 VSLA groups, with 301 study participants, were randomized to the VSLA program or a wait-control condition. Data were collected prior to randomization, at 2-months post-program in June 2012, and 8-months later for VSLA participants only. Outcome data included measures of economic and social functioning and mental health severity. VSLA program effect was derived by comparing intervention and control participants' mean changes from baseline to 2-month follow-up.Results.At follow-up, VSLA study women reported significantly greater per capita food consumption and significantly greater reductions in stigma experiences compared with controls. No other study outcomes were statistically different. At 8-month follow-up, VSLA participants reported a continued increase in per capita food consumption, an increase in economic hours worked in the prior 7 days, and an increase in access to social resources.Conclusions.While female sexual violence survivors with elevated mental symptoms were successfully integrated into a community-based economic program, the immediate program impact was only seen for food consumption and experience of stigma. Impacts on mental health severity were not realized, suggesting that targeted mental health interventions may be needed to improve psychological well-being.

scholarly journals Impact of the Healing in Harmony program on women's mental health in a rural area in South Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin Cikuru ◽  
Ali Bitenga ◽  
Juvenal Bazilashe Mukungu Balegamire ◽  
Prince Mujumbe Salama ◽  
Michelle M. Hood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Women’S Mental Health ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Women's Mental Health ◽  
Relative Risks ◽  
Post Test

Abstract Background To assess whether Healing in Harmony (HiH), a form of music therapy, improved women's mental health following conflict-related trauma and sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Methods This study used a step-wedged design and included 167 women, who completed up to two pre-tests, a post-test, and up to two follow-up interviews at 3 and 6 months after completing the program. The Hopkins Symptoms Checklist was used to measure anxiety and depression. The Harvard Trauma Questionnaire was used to measure post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Generalized estimating equations with unstructured covariance were used to estimate mean change in mental health scores and relative risks (RRs) for screening positive. Results Prior to starting the HiH program, 73.9, 84.2, and 68.5% screened positive with median scores being 2.20, 2.70, and 2.06 for depression, anxiety, and PTSD, respectively. The RR for screening positive declined significantly (RR = 0.49 for depression, 0.61 for anxiety, and 0.54 for PTSD) and mean scores declined significantly by −0.54, −0.67, and −0.53 points, respectively, from the pre- to the post-test, declines that were sustained at the 3-month and 6-month follow-up interviews. Conclusion The HiH program was associated with significant improvement in women's mental health that was sustained up to 6 months post completion of the program despite instability in the region and evidence of continued experience of conflict-related trauma during the study. These data support the value of providing psychological care in the context of ongoing humanitarian crises.

Postpartum Psychosis: Risk factors and Management

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ousman Bajinka
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Maternal Mental Health ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Postpartum Psychosis ◽  
Specialist Care ◽  
Puerperal Psychosis

Following childbirth, with a psychosis and associated mood disturbance, Postpartum Psychosis (PPP) is studied to be a severe mental health condition. PPP affects 1 to 2 per 1000 women among the psychiatric emergency. To curb this severe disorder, acute clinical intervention is warranted. Maternal mental health problems with a focus on depression as the condition with the biggest public health impact should be the way forward. This review is set to look into the risk factors, prevention and management of PPP. Both the acute onset and recurrence of psychiatric illness are common during the perinatal period as women are more vulnerable during this period. Timely detection and effective management of perinatal psychiatric disorders are critical for managing PPP. Part of the management strategies for women who experience PPP is to seek guidance on further pregnancies and risk of illness. Since PPP is a disturbing complication of childbirth that carries high risks for both mother and child, if one is at high risk of developing puerperal psychosis, there is the need for a specialist care during pregnancy and be seen by a psychiatrist.

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