scholarly journals Food insecurity and common mental disorders in perinatal women living in low socio-economic settings in Cape Town, South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cohort study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zulfa Abrahams ◽  
Crick Lund
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Baseline Risk ◽  
Multivariable Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Perinatal Women

Abstract Background Common mental disorders (CMDs) such as depression and anxiety are highly prevalent during the perinatal period, and are associated with poverty, food insecurity and domestic violence. We used data collected from perinatal women at two time-points during the COVID-19 pandemic to test the hypotheses that (1) socio-economic adversities at baseline would be associated with higher CMD prevalence at follow-up and (2) worse mental health at baseline would be associated with higher food insecurity prevalence at follow-up. Methods Telephonic interviews were conducted with perinatal women attending healthcare facilities in Cape Town, South Africa. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to model the associations of baseline risk factors with the prevalence of household food insecurity and CMD at 3 months follow-up. Results At baseline 859 women were recruited, of whom 217 (25%) were pregnant, 106 (12%) had probable CMD, and 375 (44%) were severely food insecure. At follow-up (n=634), 22 (4%) were still pregnant, 44 (7%) had probable CMD, and 207 (33%) were severely food insecure. In the multivariable regression model, after controlling for confounders, the odds of being food insecure at follow-up were greater in women who were unemployed [OR=2.05 (1.46-2.87); p<0.001] or had probable CMD [OR=2.37 (1.35-4.18); p=0.003] at baseline; and the odds of probable CMD at follow-up were greater in women with psychological distress [OR=2.81 (1.47-5.39); p=0.002] and abuse [OR=2.47 (1.47-4.39); p=0.007] at baseline. Conclusions This study highlights the complex bidirectional relationship between mental health and socioeconomic adversity among perinatal women during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Food insecurity and common mental disorders in perinatal women living in low socio-economic settings in Cape Town, South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cohort study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zulfa Abrahams ◽  
Crick Lund
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Perinatal Women

Abstract Objective: Common mental disorders (CMDs) such as depression and anxiety are highly prevalent during the perinatal period, and are associated with food insecurity, domestic violence and lack of social support. This study explores the relationship between household food insecurity, mental health status and several adverse social and economic factors experienced by perinatal women during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design: Cohort study, using telephonic interviews at two time-points, three months apart. Logistic regression analysis was used to model the associations of several baseline risk factors with the occurrence of household food insecurity at follow-up as the outcome.Setting: Midwife obstetric units or basic antenatal care units in Cape Town, South Africa.Participants: The sample comprised of 880 perinatal women at baseline and 660 women at follow-up. Results: At baseline 23% were pregnant, 54% were unemployed, 13% had a probable CMD, 43% were severely food insecure and 21% experienced domestic abuse in the past year. Of the 660 women interviewed at follow-up, 71% were unemployment, 3.5% were pregnant, 7% had a probable CMD, and 32% were severely food insecure. In the multivariate regression model, after controlling for ethnicity, number of children, being HIV-infected, and having a planned pregnancy, the odds of being food insecure were greater in women who were unemployed (OR=1.88; p=0.001) or had probable CMD (OR=2.20; p=0.019) at baseline. Conclusions: This study highlights a range of socio-demographic and mental health related variables that predict food insecurity among perinatal women during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Domestic violence, food insecurity and mental health of pregnant women in the COVID-19 lockdown in Cape Town, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zulfa Abrahams ◽  
Sonet Boisits ◽  
Marguerite Schneider ◽  
Martin Prince ◽  
Crick Lund
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Poisson Regression ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Perinatal Women

Abstract Introduction Common mental disorders (CMD) such as depression and anxiety are associated with low household income, food insecurity and intimate partner violence in perinatal women. The national COVID-19 lockdown in South Africa resulted in increased levels of poverty and food insecurity. We aimed to explore the relationship between CMDs, food insecurity and experiences of violence among pregnant women during the COVID-19 lockdown.Methods Perinatal women, attending 14 healthcare facilities in Cape Town, were enrolled in the study during baseline data collection before the COVID-19 lockdown. During the lockdown period, fieldworkers telephonically contacted the perinatal women who were enrolled in the study and had provided contact details. The following data was collected from those who consented to the study: socio-demographic information, mental health assessment, food insecurity status and experiences of abuse. Poisson regression was used to model the associations of a number of risk factors with the occurrence of CMDs.Results Of the 2149 women enrolled in the ASSET study, 885 consented to the telephonic interviews. We found that 12.5% of women had probable CMDs and 43% were severely food insecure. Psychological distress increased significantly during the lockdown period, compared to before the COVID-19 outbreak. The strength of the association between key risk factors measured during the lockdown and psychological distress increased during the COVID-19 lockdown. Using multivariate Poisson regression modelling, we showed that the risk of CMDs was almost three times more likely in women who were severely food insecure or who experienced psychological or sexual abuse. Conclusions This study provides evidence of the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on the mental health status of perinatal women living in low resource settings in Cape Town, and highlights how a crisis such as the COVID-19 lockdown amplifies the psycho-social risk factors associated with CMDs in perinatal women.

scholarly journals The relationship between common mental disorders (CMDs), food insecurity and domestic violence in pregnant women during the COVID-19 lockdown in Cape Town, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zulfa Abrahams ◽  
Sonet Boisits ◽  
Marguerite Schneider ◽  
Martin Prince ◽  
Crick Lund
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Poisson Regression ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Perinatal Women

Abstract Purpose We aimed to explore the relationship between common mental disorders (CMDs), food insecurity and experiences of domestic violence among pregnant women attending public sector midwife obstetric units and basic antenatal care clinics in Cape Town during the COVID-19 lockdown. Methods Perinatal women, attending 14 healthcare facilities in Cape Town, were enrolled in the study during baseline data collection before the COVID-19 lockdown. During the lockdown period, fieldworkers telephonically contacted the perinatal women who were enrolled in the study and had provided contact details. The following data were collected from those who consented to the study: socio-demographic information, mental health assessment, food insecurity status and experiences of domestic violence. Poisson regression was used to model the associations of a number of risk factors with the occurrence of CMDs. Results Of the 2149 women enrolled in the ASSET study, 885 consented to telephonic interviews. We found that 12.5% of women had probable CMDs and 43% were severely food insecure. Psychological distress increased significantly during the lockdown period, compared to before the COVID-19 outbreak. Using multivariate Poisson regression modelling, we showed that the risk of CMDs was increased in women who were severely food insecure or who experienced psychological or sexual abuse. Conclusions This study provides evidence of the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on the mental health status of perinatal women living in low-resource settings in Cape Town and highlights how a crisis such as the COVID-19 lockdown amplifies the psycho-social risk factors associated with CMDs in perinatal women.

scholarly journals Preventing sickness absence among employees with common mental disorders or stress-related symptoms at work: a cluster randomised controlled trial of a problem-solving-based intervention conducted by the Occupational Health Services

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (7) ◽  
pp. 454-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marijke Keus van de Poll ◽  
Lotta Nybergh ◽  
Caroline Lornudd ◽  
Jan Hagberg ◽  
Lennart Bodin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Occupational Health ◽  
Sickness Absence ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Secondary Outcomes

ObjectivesCommon mental disorders (CMDs) are among the main causes of sickness absence and can lead to suffering and high costs for individuals, employers and the society. The occupational health service (OHS) can offer work-directed interventions to support employers and employees. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on sickness absence and health of a work-directed intervention given by the OHS to employees with CMDs or stress-related symptoms.MethodsRandomisation was conducted at the OHS consultant level and each consultant was allocated into either giving a brief problem-solving intervention (PSI) or care as usual (CAU). The study group consisted of 100 employees with stress symptoms or CMDs. PSI was highly structured and used a participatory approach, involving both the employee and the employee’s manager. CAU was also work-directed but not based on the same theoretical concepts as PSI. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, at 6 and at 12 months. Primary outcome was registered sickness absence during the 1-year follow-up period. Among the secondary outcomes were self-registered sickness absence, return to work (RTW) and mental health.ResultsA statistical interaction for group × time was found on the primary outcome (p=0.033) and PSI had almost 15 days less sickness absence during follow-up compared with CAU. Concerning the secondary outcomes, PSI showed an earlier partial RTW and the mental health improved in both groups without significant group differences.ConclusionPSI was effective in reducing sickness absence which was the primary outcome in this study.

A Description of Common Mental Disorders in Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) Referred for Assessment and Intervention at an MSM Clinic in Cape Town, South Africa

2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (S1) ◽  
pp. 77-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Stoloff ◽  
John A. Joska ◽  
Dorothy Feast ◽  
Glenn De Swardt ◽  
Johan Hugo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Sex With Men

scholarly journals The role of family meal frequency in common mental disorders in children and adolescents over eight months of follow-up

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0243793
Author(s):  
Beatriz Tosé Agathão ◽  
Diana Barbosa Cunha ◽  
Rosely Sichieri ◽  
Claudia Souza Lopes
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Family Meals ◽  
Meal Frequency ◽  
Family Meal ◽  
The Family ◽  
Regular Family

Objective This study evaluated the influence of family meal frequency on the occurrence of common mental disorders (CMD) in children and adolescents over eight months of follow-up. Design Data from this longitudinal study were derived from the PAAPAS—Parents, Students, Community Health Agents, and Teachers for Healthy Eating—community trial. CMD were evaluated using the General Health Questionnaire. Frequency of family meals (breakfast and dinner) was categorized as “breakfast and dinner regularly with the family”, “at least breakfast or dinner regularly with the family”, and “does not have any meal regularly with the family.” The effect of family meal frequency on CMD was analyzed using generalized estimation equations with log-binomial models for repeated measures. Setting This study was conducted in public schools (N = 18) of Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2016. Participants Children (aged 9–11 years) and adolescents (aged 12–17 years) from the fifth and sixth grades (N = 2,743). Results These findings suggested that regular family meals were a protective factor for mental health. The adjusted relative risk of CMD was 0.75 (95% confidence interval = 0.69–0.83) for those who had two family meals regularly and 0.87 (95% confidence interval = 0.77–0.97) for those who had only one regular family meal, compared to students who had no regular family meals. Conclusions Potential strategies that educate and encourage families about the mental health benefits of eating regular meals together must be explored and implemented.

Integration of mental health counselling into chronic disease services at the primary health care level: Formative research on dedicated versus designated strategies in the Western Cape, South Africa

2020 ◽  
pp. 135581962095423
Author(s):  
Katherine Sorsdahl ◽  
Tracey Naledi ◽  
Crick Lund ◽  
Naomi S Levitt ◽  
John A Joska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Chronic Disease Care ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Health Counselling

Objective To explore health care providers’ views on the acceptability and feasibility of two models for integrating facility-based counsellor delivered mental health counselling into chronic disease care, and how such an approach could be improved in South Africa. Methods Fourteen focus group discussions and 25 in-depth individual interviews were conducted with 109 health care workers and facility managers from 24 primary health clinics in the Western Cape, South Africa. Results Findings suggested that despite recent efforts to integrate mental health counselling into chronic disease services for common mental disorders, there remains limited availability of psychosocial and psychological counselling. Feedback on the two models of integration suggested equipoise and the potential of a hybrid approach where these approaches may be tailored to the specific needs and available resources of each facility. Participants identified constraints within the health system and broader social context that require consideration for integrating mental health counselling into chronic disease care. Conclusion Although study participants unanimously agreed that counselling for common mental disorders should be integrated into chronic disease services, they had differing views on the type of model that should be adopted. There is a need for further testing of the two models and aspects of the health service that may require strengthening to implement any such model.

scholarly journals Child Dietary Diversity, Household Food Insecurity, Child Stunting and Maternal Mental Health Symptoms in Vakinankaratra, Madagascar

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 295-295
Author(s):  
Christine Walters ◽  
Joel Komakech ◽  
Hasina Rakotomanana ◽  
Barbara Stoecker
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Maternal Mental Health ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Child Stunting ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Adjusted Model

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to determine the association between child dietary diversity, household food insecurity, child stunting, and maternal mental health symptoms in the Vakinankaratra region of Madagascar. Methods This cross-sectional study included 391 mother-child dyads. The World Health Organization (WHO) standards were used for defining child dietary diversity and child stunting and the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) was used for food insecurity scores. Maternal symptoms of common mental disorders were assessed using the WHO Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ), which was translated into Malagasy and pre-tested; a cutoff of seven was used to indicate the occurrence of symptoms of common mental disorders. Multivariate linear and logistic regression models adjusted for strata, cluster, and confounding variables were conducted with statistical significance set at P &lt; 0.05. Results More than half (56.8%) of the mothers reported symptoms of common mental disorders and more than half of the children (69.4%) were stunted. The mean HFIAS score was 10.3 (±5.6) and mean child dietary diversity score was 3.0 (±1.31). Symptoms of common mental disorders were significantly associated with child dietary diversity score in the bivariate analysis but became nonsignificant in the final adjusted model (β = –0.22, P = 0.06, R2 = 0.07). In the adjusted model, having symptoms of common mental disorders was significantly associated with higher HFIAS score (β = 3.45, P &lt; 0.0001, R2 = 0.13) and HFIAS scores were significantly associated with having symptoms of common mental disorders (AOR = 1.31 [1.09–1.17], P &lt; 0.0001). Maternal symptoms of common mental disorders were significantly associated with stunting (AOR = 1.68 [1.02–2.78], P &lt; 0.05). Conclusions Maternal mental health and household food insecurity were significantly associated in this rural area of the Vakinankaratra region in Madagascar. Furthermore, assessing maternal symptoms of common mental disorders and referring mothers for mental health care appears to be an important consideration for improving child stunting in the region. Funding Sources Oklahoma State University.

scholarly journals Longer Residence of Ecuadorian and Colombian Migrant Workers in Spain Associated with New Episodes of Common Mental Disorders

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 2027 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Ronda-Pérez ◽  
José Miguel Martínez ◽  
Alison Reid ◽  
Andrés A. Agudelo-Suárez
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Immigrant Worker ◽  
One Year ◽  
Working Populations ◽  
Employment Characteristics

The healthy migrant effect and its impact on mental health has been reported in the general population of many countries. Information is limited about its impact on working populations. The aim of this study is to estimate the incidence of common mental disorders over a one-year follow-up period among a cohort of Colombian and Ecuadorian employees in Spain, taking into account the duration of residence and comparing with Spanish-born workers. Data was from the Longitudinal Studies on Immigrant Families Project (PELFI), a follow-up survey of immigrants and Spanish-born workers interviewed in 2015 and 2016. Mental health was assessed using the 12-item general health questionnaire (GHQ-12). Crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORas) for common mental disorders by sociodemographic and employment characteristics were created. There were differences for immigrants with time of residence less than or equal to 15 years (time of residence 11–15 years: ORa = 0.06, 95% CI = (0.26–0.01); time of residence 1–10 years: ORa = 0.06, 95% CI = (0.36–0.01)). There was evidence of a healthy immigrant worker effect, as newer arrivals from Ecuador and Columbia to Spain had a lower incidence of common mental disorders than either the Spanish-born or immigrant workers who had lived in Spain for more than 15 years.

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