Research
Integrating mental health into primary health care in Zambia: a care provider's perspective
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* Corresponding author: Lonia Mwape loniamagolo@yahoo.com
1 Department of Mental Health Nursing, Chainama College of Health Sciences, Lusaka, Zambia
2 Department of Social Development Studies, Demography Division, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
3 Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa
4 Research Officer, Mental Health and Poverty Project, Department of Psychiatry, Chainama College of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
International Journal of Mental Health Systems 2010, 4:21 doi:10.1186/1752-4458-4-21
Published: 25 July 2010Abstract
Background
Despite the 1991 reforms of the health system in Zambia, mental health is still given low priority. This is evident from the fragmented manner in which mental health services are provided in the country and the limited budget allocations, with mental health services receiving 0.4% of the total health budget. Most of the mental health services provided are curative in nature and based in tertiary health institutions. At primary health care level, there is either absence of, or fragmented health services.
Aims
The aim of this paper was to explore health providers' views about mental health integration into primary health care.
Methods
A mixed methods, structured survey was conducted of 111 health service providers in primary health care centres, drawn from one urban setting (Lusaka) and one rural setting (Mumbwa).
Results
There is strong support for integrating mental health into primary health care from care providers, as a way of facilitating early detection and intervention for mental health problems. Participants believed that this would contribute to the reduction of stigma and the promotion of human rights for people with mental health problems. However, health providers felt they require basic training in order to enhance their knowledge and skills in providing health care to people with mental health problems.
Recommendations
It is recommended that health care providers should be provided with basic training in mental health in order to enhance their knowledge and skills to enable them provide mental health care to patients seeking help at primary health care level.
Conclusion
Integrating mental health services into primary health care is critical to improving and promoting the mental health of the population in Zambia.