African Health Informatics (Clinical focus) | 22 September 2004
Patient Satisfaction with Tele-Mental Health Services for Post-Natal Depression Among Women in Zimbabwean High-Density Slums Over Six Months: An Exploratory Study
T, s, h, o, l, o, f, e, l, o, C, h, i, y, a, n, g, w, i, ,, C, h, i, d, o, M, a, k, o, r, e, v, a, ,, N, k, u, l, u, l, e, k, o, C, h, i, p, f, u, v, u, e
Abstract
Post-natal depression (PND) is a prevalent mental health issue among women in high-density slums of Zimbabwean cities. Tele-mental health services offer an accessible alternative for managing PND, yet their effectiveness and patient satisfaction remain underexplored. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including quantitative surveys assessing patient satisfaction scores and qualitative interviews to gain deeper insights into participants' experiences. During the six-month study, an average of 82% of respondents reported high levels of satisfaction with tele-mental health services. Interviews revealed themes such as convenience and improved access to care. Tele-mental health services were well-received by participants in Zimbabwe's high-density slums, particularly for its convenience and accessibility. Further research should explore the long-term effects of tele-mental health interventions on PND outcomes and evaluate cost-effectiveness compared to traditional face-to-face consultations. Treatment effect was estimated with $\text{logit}(p<em>i)=\beta</em>0+\beta^\top X_i$, and uncertainty reported using confidence-interval based inference.