Choedon T, Sethi V, Killeen SL, Ganjekar S, Satyanarayana V, Ghosh S, Jacob CM, McAuliffe FM, Hanson MA, Chandra P. Integrating nutrition and mental health screening, risk identification and management in prenatal health programs in India.
Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2023;
162:792-801. [PMID:
36808738 DOI:
10.1002/ijgo.14728]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Pregnancy is a period of major physiologic, hormonal, and psychological change, increasing the risk of nutritional deficiencies and mental disorders. Mental disorders and malnutrition are associated with adverse pregnancy and child outcomes, with potential long-standing impact. Common mental disorders during pregnancy are more prevalent in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In India, studies suggest the prevalence of depression is 9.8%-36.7% and of anxiety is 55.7%. India has seen some promising developments in recent years such as increased coverage of the District Mental Health Program; integration of maternal mental health into the Reproductive and Child Health Program in Kerala; and the Mental Health Care Act 2017. However, mental health screening and management protocols have not yet been established and integrated into routine prenatal care in India. A five-action maternal nutrition algorithm was developed and tested for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, aiming to strengthen nutrition services for pregnant women in routine prenatal care facilities. In this paper, we present opportunities and challenges for integration of maternal nutrition and mental health screening and a management protocol at routine prenatal care in India, discuss evidence-based interventions in other LMICs including India, and make recommendations for public healthcare providers.
Collapse