PLOS Global Public Health · 12 authors, 8 centres
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This qualitative study interviewed 13 Kenyan health and social policymakers to identify their perspectives on risk factors and barriers to mental health for pregnant and parenting adolescent girls, and ideas for policy and program optimization.
The study used a qualitative design, conducting key informant interviews with 13 diverse policymakers in Kenya to understand their perspectives on the mental health needs of pregnant and parenting adolescent girls and strategies for mental health promotion. Six principal themes emerged, covering the mental health situation, risk factors, barriers to services, health-seeking behaviors, promotion strategies, protective factors, and policy-level issues. Policymakers highlighted economic challenges, stigma, social isolation, and systemic gaps like shortages of mental health specialists as key barriers. The study's limitations include its focus on a limited group of receptive policymakers and the potential for missed perspectives from other relevant government sectors. The authors conclude that a thorough examination of existing policies is needed to identify adaptations that can support adolescent mental health, integrate services, address economic needs, and improve policy implementation.
