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Level of Mental Health Service Integration in Primary Health Care Units in Debre Markos Town, Ethiopia, 2014

Received: 28 January 2015     Accepted: 10 February 2015     Published: 16 February 2015
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Abstract

Introduction: Mental health disorders in low and middle income countries contribute to roughly 10% of the global burden of disease. In rural areas especially, lower access to care and lack of health services contributes to failure to get proper care and treatment for conditions such as schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, and even suicidal ideation. In settings where resources are low, mental health services from primary health care settings would allow for better detection and intervention strategies. Thus, this study aims to assess the current level of mental health integration in the primary care setting as a baseline for future improvement. Methods: A cross sectional study design using a literature review was conducted on the current mental health status of Ethiopia as well as previous strategies for integration of mental health in primary care. Next, quantitative data was collected from 2 primary care units in Debre Markos town in order to determine mental health utilization under the current health strategies. Program information was collected from a health professional within each primary health care unit along with observational data and document review. Referral data from the Debre Markos reference hospital was also collected in order to assess referral utilization. Results: Attempts for mental health integration into the primary care system are evident through policies of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. However, the implementation is recent and the capacity for training and services is low. Low levels of mental health integration were recorded in the primary care setting. Areas of improvement include education and training for primary health care worker and communication between primary and secondary health care systems. Conclusion and Recommendations: Training for mental health services in primary care units is poor. It is recommended greater education and training for the various disorders including epilepsy, substance abuse, and depression are addressed. In addition, funding is necessary to increase utilization, education, and to reduce stigma among mental health patients.

Published in Science Journal of Public Health (Volume 3, Issue 2)
DOI 10.11648/j.sjph.20150302.15
Page(s) 181-190
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2015. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Integration, Primary Health Unit, Debre Markos, Principles, Mental Health

References
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[2] Bitew, T., Prevalence and risk factors of depression in Ethiopia: A review. Ethiopia Journal of Health Sciences, 2014. 24(2).
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[4] WHO, Mental health and substance abuse. 2014, World Health Organization.
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[24] Teferra, S.e.a., Perspectives on reasons for non-adherence to medication in persons with schizophrenia in Ethiopia: a qualitative study of patients, caregivers and health workers. BMC Psychiatry, 2013. 13(168).
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  • APA Style

    Celia Sanchez, Nurilign Abebe Moges. (2015). Level of Mental Health Service Integration in Primary Health Care Units in Debre Markos Town, Ethiopia, 2014. Science Journal of Public Health, 3(2), 181-190. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20150302.15

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    ACS Style

    Celia Sanchez; Nurilign Abebe Moges. Level of Mental Health Service Integration in Primary Health Care Units in Debre Markos Town, Ethiopia, 2014. Sci. J. Public Health 2015, 3(2), 181-190. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.20150302.15

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    AMA Style

    Celia Sanchez, Nurilign Abebe Moges. Level of Mental Health Service Integration in Primary Health Care Units in Debre Markos Town, Ethiopia, 2014. Sci J Public Health. 2015;3(2):181-190. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.20150302.15

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  • @article{10.11648/j.sjph.20150302.15,
      author = {Celia Sanchez and Nurilign Abebe Moges},
      title = {Level of Mental Health Service Integration in Primary Health Care Units in Debre Markos Town, Ethiopia, 2014},
      journal = {Science Journal of Public Health},
      volume = {3},
      number = {2},
      pages = {181-190},
      doi = {10.11648/j.sjph.20150302.15},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20150302.15},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjph.20150302.15},
      abstract = {Introduction: Mental health disorders in low and middle income countries contribute to roughly 10% of the global burden of disease. In rural areas especially, lower access to care and lack of health services contributes to failure to get proper care and treatment for conditions such as schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, and even suicidal ideation. In settings where resources are low, mental health services from primary health care settings would allow for better detection and intervention strategies. Thus, this study aims to assess the current level of mental health integration in the primary care setting as a baseline for future improvement. Methods: A cross sectional study design using a literature review was conducted on the current mental health status of Ethiopia as well as previous strategies for integration of mental health in primary care. Next, quantitative data was collected from 2 primary care units in Debre Markos town in order to determine mental health utilization under the current health strategies. Program information was collected from a health professional within each primary health care unit along with observational data and document review. Referral data from the Debre Markos reference hospital was also collected in order to assess referral utilization. Results: Attempts for mental health integration into the primary care system are evident through policies of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. However, the implementation is recent and the capacity for training and services is low. Low levels of mental health integration were recorded in the primary care setting. Areas of improvement include education and training for primary health care worker and communication between primary and secondary health care systems. Conclusion and Recommendations: Training for mental health services in primary care units is poor. It is recommended greater education and training for the various disorders including epilepsy, substance abuse, and depression are addressed. In addition, funding is necessary to increase utilization, education, and to reduce stigma among mental health patients.},
     year = {2015}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Level of Mental Health Service Integration in Primary Health Care Units in Debre Markos Town, Ethiopia, 2014
    AU  - Celia Sanchez
    AU  - Nurilign Abebe Moges
    Y1  - 2015/02/16
    PY  - 2015
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20150302.15
    DO  - 10.11648/j.sjph.20150302.15
    T2  - Science Journal of Public Health
    JF  - Science Journal of Public Health
    JO  - Science Journal of Public Health
    SP  - 181
    EP  - 190
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2328-7950
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20150302.15
    AB  - Introduction: Mental health disorders in low and middle income countries contribute to roughly 10% of the global burden of disease. In rural areas especially, lower access to care and lack of health services contributes to failure to get proper care and treatment for conditions such as schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, and even suicidal ideation. In settings where resources are low, mental health services from primary health care settings would allow for better detection and intervention strategies. Thus, this study aims to assess the current level of mental health integration in the primary care setting as a baseline for future improvement. Methods: A cross sectional study design using a literature review was conducted on the current mental health status of Ethiopia as well as previous strategies for integration of mental health in primary care. Next, quantitative data was collected from 2 primary care units in Debre Markos town in order to determine mental health utilization under the current health strategies. Program information was collected from a health professional within each primary health care unit along with observational data and document review. Referral data from the Debre Markos reference hospital was also collected in order to assess referral utilization. Results: Attempts for mental health integration into the primary care system are evident through policies of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. However, the implementation is recent and the capacity for training and services is low. Low levels of mental health integration were recorded in the primary care setting. Areas of improvement include education and training for primary health care worker and communication between primary and secondary health care systems. Conclusion and Recommendations: Training for mental health services in primary care units is poor. It is recommended greater education and training for the various disorders including epilepsy, substance abuse, and depression are addressed. In addition, funding is necessary to increase utilization, education, and to reduce stigma among mental health patients.
    VL  - 3
    IS  - 2
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Public health department, Touro University, California, USA

  • Public health department, Medicine and Health Sciences College, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia

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