Challenges Faced By Health Workers Of The Bamenda Health District In The Intergration Of Mental Health Into Primary Health Care

Worldwide, a number of reforms have been undertaken with the intention of improving
access to mental health services. Notable among these is the integration of mental health
services into primary health care, which has been one of the most fundamental healthcare reform recommendations globally. The problem addressed in this study was the need to understand the perception of health workers in the integration of mental health care into PHC and how it influences access to mental health services and/or support clients living in the community with mental illness to effectively manage their health to prevent hospitalizations The objective of the study was to analyze the perception of health workers on the integration of mental health into primary healthcare
A quantitative and a cross-sectional design was used. The Perceptions of Mental health
integration into PHC (Appendix I) was developed to help assess health workers’ perceptions in regards to mental health integration into PHC. The population under study was health professionals in Bamenda I, II and III who had taken the mhGAP training. A discriminant sampling design was used. The sample consisted of 50 health professionals who were degree holders and graduates from various programs and had taken the mhGAP course.
The study revealed that there is a negative perception of health workers in the integration of mental health which is influenced by family background, race, beliefs, gender, and other socio demographic factors. It further reveals that integration of mental health to general practice is hindered by many challenges such as limited staff, remuneration, Knowledge, medication, equipment and poor work environment.
The provision of effective mental health care at the primary healthcare level is highly
dependent on the pre-existence of a well-functioning primary care system. Sufficient
resources (financial and human) are also pre-requisite for effective mental health treatment at this level of care. The study concludes that there is a negative perception of health workers in the integration of mental health which is influenced by family background, race, beliefs, gender, and other socio-demographic factors.