Psychological distress among mothers of young children in rural Ghana and Uganda and its association with child health and nutritional status

摘要: Psychological distress among mothers of young children in rural Ghana and Uganda its association with child health nutritional status Eleni Vousoura Depression anxiety, the most common mental disorders (CMDs), are highly prevalent women childbearing age, but even higher lowand middle-income countries (LMICs), possibly due to mothers' disproportionate exposure multiple risk factors, such as poverty, gender disparities violence, a high prevalence medical illness. The extra burden imposed by maternal CMDs LMICs can be nothing short catastrophic, affecting infant growth leading preventable illness death children. One possible mechanism, which lead compromised development, is through negatively health-promoting behaviors (e.g., contraceptive use, participation antenatal care) child-care practices vaccination uptake, cessation breastfeeding, sanitation practices). aim this study was three-fold. First, assess psychological (aged 0-5 years) Uganda, measured Kessler 6 (K6), brief screening instrument for nonspecific distress. Second, identify sociodemographic, socioeconomic, obstetric, psychosocial correlates Uganda. Third, explore relationship between distress, practices, outcomes status. utilized cross-sectional baseline data from Millennium Villages Project. hundred 100 who had at least one up 5 years time collection participated study. Results provided evidence adequate reliability validity K6 our Several were identified study, some both sites, while others where site-specific. Maternal correlated An exploratory analysis revealed significant undernutrition. These findings offer partial support poor rural, resource-poor areas. Discussion focuses on social roots sub-Saharan Africa. clinical implications recommendations future research discussed.