Recognition and Management of Prenatal Maternal Distress in Women Attending Maternity Services in Lusaka, Zambia

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Introduction: Despite the presence of several risk factors for Prenatal Maternal Distress (PMD) and its associated negative effects, the condition is not routinely assessed as part of the Antenatal Care Package in Zambia. This study, therefore, aimed to assess the extent to which healthcare professionals can recognize and manage PMD in a care environment that does not mandate routine assessment for it. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, with data collected through a self-administered questionnaire administered to 190 randomly sampled healthcare professionals working at selected hospitals in Lusaka. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, with P Results: Majority (76.3%) had no means of recognizing PMD, and slightly below half (31.1%) mentioned managing a woman with PMD. Most of the respondents (71.6%) had high knowledge of PMD, though (88.4%) could not define what it is. Slightly less than half (48.4%) described their workload as heavy, with (67%) having a positive attitude towards understanding PMD. Conclusions: Mental Health Assessments should be part of prenatal and antenatal care in Zambia to enhance the recognition and management of PMD and its associated conditions. Hospital managements must educate healthcare providers on the recognition and management of PMD.