Research Article
Psychiatry: The Relevance of Improving Access to Healthcare for Acutely Mentally Ill and Those with Longstanding Mental Illness
Mercedes Agudo*
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 2, June 2025
Pages:
36-49
Received:
14 March 2025
Accepted:
31 March 2025
Published:
22 April 2025
Abstract: Background: There is currently a national mental health crisis due to the lack of access to mental health care. Objectives: 1. To study the different factors that contribute to lack of access to psychiatric treatment. 2. To compare each factor by ranking them according to their relevance in contributing to the lack of access to health care and national mental health crisis as perceived by psychiatrist respondents to a brief survey. 3. To analyze results, discuss implications, and provide recommendations. Methods: Seven factors contributing to lack of access to psychiatric treatment are identified from a review of literature, educational materials, and clinical practice. A cross-sectional survey of psychiatrists in US practice is conducted from July to December 2023 by convenient sampling. Recruitment is done in person and via email, US postal mail, and telephone. Forty-eight respondents rated these factors in a Likert scale and ranked them, taking 15 minutes to complete each survey. Quantitative data are analyzed descriptively, and qualitative data are analyzed deductively by identifying the themes from respondents’ narratives. Results: The factors contributing to lack of access to psychiatric treatment are ranked as follows: 1. Lack of support to mental health organizations to establish and operate high-performance mental healthcare delivery (score: 11). 2. Leadership problem and administration problem (score: 12). 3. Stigma in psychiatrists and patients (score: 10) 4. Lack of support in training medical students (score: 9) 5. Disparity in mental healthcare delivery (score: 6) 6. Breakdown of family structure as, “Family is the cradle of good citizenship” (score: 8) 7. Shortage of psychiatrists (score: 6). The theme that emerged from respondents’ narratives about keeping their job are: 1. Enjoyment 2. Financial 3. Altruism 4. Structure. Conclusions: This study has affirmed the relevance of Psychiatry and the need to improve access to mental healthcare. This will require systemic approach from mental health providers to communities, institutions, and healthcare organizations. It is hoped that studies such as this will spark a cultural transformation that will reverse healthcare access issues.
Abstract: Background: There is currently a national mental health crisis due to the lack of access to mental health care. Objectives: 1. To study the different factors that contribute to lack of access to psychiatric treatment. 2. To compare each factor by ranking them according to their relevance in contributing to the lack of access to health care and nati...
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Research Article
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Postpartum Depression Among Postpartum Mothers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 2, June 2025
Pages:
50-60
Received:
15 April 2025
Accepted:
3 May 2025
Published:
6 June 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajpn.20251302.12
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Abstract: Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious mental illness that affects behavior, physical health, and overall well-being, posing serious risks to the health of both mother and child. The World Health Organization reports that around 10% of women during pregnancy and 13% after childbirth globally suffer from mental health conditions, with depression being the most common. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of postpartum depression among postpartum mothers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: An analytic cross-sectional study was conducted among 530 postpartum mothers from February to August 2022. Three sub-cities (Lideta, Cherkos, and Nifas Silk) were selected using a simple random sampling technique from the 10 sub-cities in Addis Ababa. Seven health centers were chosen by lottery method, and participants were selected through systematic random sampling. Binary logistic regression was employed for data analysis, and variables showing a p-value less than 0.05 were deemed statistically significant. Results: A total of 530 individuals took part in this study. Among them, postpartum depression was identified in 22.3% (118 participants). Several factors showed significant associations with postpartum depression, including maternal age between 19–24 years (II = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.004, 0.73), lack of formal education (AOR = 10.65; 95% CI: 1.91, 59.51), secondary education level (AOR = 1.123; 95% CI: 0.020, 2.76), unemployment (AOR = 0.322; 95% CI: 0.121, 0.855), monthly income of 2001–6000 ETB (AOR = 1.002; 95% CI: 0.000, 2.015), and unplanned pregnancy (AOR = 9.96; 95% CI: 4.49, 17.29). Conclusion: The occurrence of depression among postpartum mothers is high, with significant associations found with age, education level, employment status, income, and pregnancy planning. Early screening and targeted interventions, particularly for high-risk groups such as older mothers, those with low education, and those with unplanned pregnancies, are essential to address this public health issue.
Abstract: Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious mental illness that affects behavior, physical health, and overall well-being, posing serious risks to the health of both mother and child. The World Health Organization reports that around 10% of women during pregnancy and 13% after childbirth globally suffer from mental health conditions, with ...
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Research Article
The Effects of Electroconvulsive Shock on the Superior Colliculus Visual Evoked Potential
Nigel Alexander Shaw*
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 2, June 2025
Pages:
61-71
Received:
24 April 2025
Accepted:
8 May 2025
Published:
16 June 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajpn.20251302.13
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Views:
Abstract: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) remains an effective somatic treatment for a variety of psychiatric disorders. Despite its introduction almost a century ago, its site and mode of action remains elusive. One method of obtaining relevant information is by the recording of sensory evoked potentials from patients undergoing ECT. However, such human data is plagued with problems of methodology and interpretation. These limitations are not an impediment when employing an animal model of electroconvulsive shock (ECS). In the present experiment, the effects of ECS were studied on the superior colliculus visual evoked potential (SCVEP) in the non-medicated rat. The SCVEP was used as a measure of activity in the subcortical visual system as, in the rodent, the SC lies directly below the visual cortex. Immediately after the induction of generalised seizure activity (GSA) by ECS, all the components of the SCVEP were still preserved, basically intact. There was, however, a marked but very transient attenuation in its waveform not associated with any increase in the latency of the primary component. These findings are compared to a previous study where the cortical VEP was found to be completely abolished for up to two minutes following ECS. Judging solely by these and related neurophysiological data recorded from other exteroceptive sensory systems, it is concluded that the seat of ECT’s mode of action may lie quite discretely at the cortical level. Nevertheless, ECT has a profusion of effects on cerebral structure and function. Therefore, at the present time, this putative insight may be most applicable to an understanding of the negative or adverse (usually cognitive) side-effects which accompany ECT rather than to its positive (therapeutic) benefits. The acute loss of amplitude in the SCVEP waveform may not necessarily indicate that GSA impacts SC function, even momentarily. Instead, it is suggested that the interference more likely reflects a deficit in retinal processing which has been transferred to the SC.
Abstract: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) remains an effective somatic treatment for a variety of psychiatric disorders. Despite its introduction almost a century ago, its site and mode of action remains elusive. One method of obtaining relevant information is by the recording of sensory evoked potentials from patients undergoing ECT. However, such human dat...
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