Perceptions of psychiatric-trained nurses on integrating mental health into primary health care in Africa

Background: This review mapped the perceptions of nurses on the integration of mental health services into primary health care (PHC) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Aim: The study focused on perceptions related to mental health service integration to determine barriers and facilitators...

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Main Authors: Busisiwe M. Febana, Mutshidzi Mulondo
Format: Article
Language:Afrikaans
Published: AOSIS 2025-02-01
Series:Health SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/2878
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author Busisiwe M. Febana
Mutshidzi Mulondo
author_facet Busisiwe M. Febana
Mutshidzi Mulondo
author_sort Busisiwe M. Febana
collection DOAJ
description Background: This review mapped the perceptions of nurses on the integration of mental health services into primary health care (PHC) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Aim: The study focused on perceptions related to mental health service integration to determine barriers and facilitators from the perspective of nurses. Method: A scoping review was conducted across relevant databases and search engines, resulting in the identification of 120 studies. Four studies met the inclusion criteria for synthesis. Results: The findings indicated that nurses perceived a significant lack of resources and training in mental health care. Barriers such as stigma and workload were prevalent barriers to integration. However, facilitators included support from leadership and multidisciplinary collaboration. Successful integration led to improved patient access to mental health services and reduced stigma. Conclusion: The integration of mental health services into PHC is a complex process influenced by multiple factors. Nurses play a critical role in this integration, and their insights are essential for developing effective strategies for integration. For proper integration of mental health services, it is recommended that resources and training for nurses to integrate mental health services into PHC in LMICs be increased. Addressing barriers like stigma and heavy workloads, along with support from leadership and multidisciplinary collaboration, is essential for improving patient outcomes. Contribution: This study contributes to the knowledge base on integrating mental health services into PHC, offering insights for policymakers and healthcare providers to enhance mental health care delivery in LMICs and similar settings.
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spelling doaj-art-f7618065ebdc4627af7eaaf6dbfbd72a2025-08-20T03:15:55ZafrAOSISHealth SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences1025-98482071-97362025-02-01300e1e710.4102/hsag.v30i0.28781228Perceptions of psychiatric-trained nurses on integrating mental health into primary health care in AfricaBusisiwe M. Febana0Mutshidzi Mulondo1Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Free State, BloemfonteinDepartment of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Free State, BloemfonteinBackground: This review mapped the perceptions of nurses on the integration of mental health services into primary health care (PHC) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Aim: The study focused on perceptions related to mental health service integration to determine barriers and facilitators from the perspective of nurses. Method: A scoping review was conducted across relevant databases and search engines, resulting in the identification of 120 studies. Four studies met the inclusion criteria for synthesis. Results: The findings indicated that nurses perceived a significant lack of resources and training in mental health care. Barriers such as stigma and workload were prevalent barriers to integration. However, facilitators included support from leadership and multidisciplinary collaboration. Successful integration led to improved patient access to mental health services and reduced stigma. Conclusion: The integration of mental health services into PHC is a complex process influenced by multiple factors. Nurses play a critical role in this integration, and their insights are essential for developing effective strategies for integration. For proper integration of mental health services, it is recommended that resources and training for nurses to integrate mental health services into PHC in LMICs be increased. Addressing barriers like stigma and heavy workloads, along with support from leadership and multidisciplinary collaboration, is essential for improving patient outcomes. Contribution: This study contributes to the knowledge base on integrating mental health services into PHC, offering insights for policymakers and healthcare providers to enhance mental health care delivery in LMICs and similar settings.https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/2878mental health servicesintegrationprimary health carenurses’ perceptionshealthcare services
spellingShingle Busisiwe M. Febana
Mutshidzi Mulondo
Perceptions of psychiatric-trained nurses on integrating mental health into primary health care in Africa
Health SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences
mental health services
integration
primary health care
nurses’ perceptions
healthcare services
title Perceptions of psychiatric-trained nurses on integrating mental health into primary health care in Africa
title_full Perceptions of psychiatric-trained nurses on integrating mental health into primary health care in Africa
title_fullStr Perceptions of psychiatric-trained nurses on integrating mental health into primary health care in Africa
title_full_unstemmed Perceptions of psychiatric-trained nurses on integrating mental health into primary health care in Africa
title_short Perceptions of psychiatric-trained nurses on integrating mental health into primary health care in Africa
title_sort perceptions of psychiatric trained nurses on integrating mental health into primary health care in africa
topic mental health services
integration
primary health care
nurses’ perceptions
healthcare services
url https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/2878
work_keys_str_mv AT busisiwemfebana perceptionsofpsychiatrictrainednursesonintegratingmentalhealthintoprimaryhealthcareinafrica
AT mutshidzimulondo perceptionsofpsychiatrictrainednursesonintegratingmentalhealthintoprimaryhealthcareinafrica