Presented by:
Genesis Chorwe-Sungani, MN-MHL, RN
Nondumiso Shangase, MSc N, RNM
Aim of the study
The aim of this study was to identify nurses’
self perceptions about the support they
receive from mental health specialists when
providing mental health care to PLWHA.
Introduction and background
 mental health specialists are scarce in
Malawi
 Non-specialised health care workers provide
mental health services in general settings.
 Self perceptions of nurses are linked to the
effectiveness of their interventions
Introduction and background cont/d
 nurses’ willingness to deal with MHP relies
upon how they perceive their levels of role
support in their task of providing mental
health care.
 Role support is nurses’ self perceptions
about the support they receive from mental
health specialists when providing mental
health
Methods
Study design
A quantitative descriptive survey design was
used for this study
Setting
The settings were Queen Elizabeth Central and
the following health centres: Bangwe,
Chilomoni, Limbe, South Lunzu and
Ndirande.
Methods cont/d
Sample
 a convenient sample comprising of 151
participants drawn from the population of
311 nurses.
Materials
 Mental Health Problems Perception
Questionnaire (MHPPQ) was used.
Methods cont/d
Procedure
 Permission to use MHPPQ was granted by
Prof. Lauder
 Approval to conduct the study was granted
by relevant authorities.
 151 completed questionnaires were returned
(91.5% response rate)
Methods cont/d
 Data was collected from March to April
2010.
Data analysis
 Data were analysed using Statistical Package
for Social Sciences(SPSS) version 15.0.
 Cronbach’s alpha for the adapted role
support scale of MHPPQ was (α=0.75)
Study findings and Discussion
 49.7% ( n=75) reported that they do not
always receive adequate support when
working with PLWHA who have MHPs
 48.3% (n=72) of nurses perceived that they
did receive adequate support from
colleagues when working with PLWHA who
have MHPs.
Study findings and Discussion
 Nurses in general settings are often unable to
provide appropriate support because they have
not been adequately trained themselves to deal
with MHP
 nurses in general settings require support from
mental health specialists when dealing with
MHPs
 Support makes nurses more confident and
interested in dealing with MHPs
Conclusion and recommendations
 Some nurses in general settings perceive that
they lack
specialists.
support
from
mental
health
 This negatively influence their willingness to
care for PLWHA who have MHPs.
 Therefore, Support networks for the nurses in
general settings must be developed
References
 Albery, I. P., Heuston, J., Ward, J., Groves, P., Durand, M. A.,
Gossop, M. & Strang, J. (2003). Measuring therapeutic attitude
among drug workers. Addictive Behaviours, 28, 995-1005.
 Arnold, M. & Mitchell, T. (2008). Nurses’ perceptions of care
received by older people with mental health issues in an acute
hospital environment. Clinical Research, 20(10), 28-34.
 Collins, P. Y., Holmand, A. R., Freemane, M. C. & Patel, V.
(2006). What is the relevance of mental health to HIV/AIDS care
and treatment programs in developing countries? A systematic
review. AIDS, 20, 1571-1582.
 Kauye, F. (2008). Management of mental health services in
Malawi. African Journal of Psychiatry, 5(2), 29-30.
References
 Lauder, W., Reynolds, W., Reilys, V. & Angus, N. (2000). The
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development and testing of the Mental Health Problems Perception
Questionnaire. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 7,
221-226.
Lauder, W., Reynolds, W., Reilys, V. & Angus, N. (2001). The role of
district nurses in caring for people with mental health problems
who live in rural areas. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 10, 337-344.
Mavundla, T. R. (2000). Professional nurses' perception of nursing
mentally ill people in a general hospital setting. Journal of Advanced
Nursing, 32(6), 1569-1578.
MOHP. (2001). National mental health policy for Malawi. Lilongwe:
Ministry of Health and Population.
Skuse, D. (2008). Mental health services in sub-Saharan Africa.
African Journal of Psychiatry, 5(2), 28-29.
ZIKOMO
NGIYABONGA
THANK YOU!!!!