Influence of telemedicine practices on post-partum depression management in Access Afya

Abstract

The treatment of postpartum depression (PPD) faces significant challenges in accessibility to professional healthcare services, exacerbated by stigma and discontinuity of care. This study explores the influence of telemedicine in postpartum depression at Access Afya Kenya, addressing barriers faced by women in Low- and Medium-Income Countries (LMICs) due to limited infrastructure and cultural stigma. These barriers deter women from seeking help and contribute to untreated symptoms, impacting both maternal and child health outcomes. Primary data was collected through questionnaires distributed to healthcare workers (doctors) across all branches of Access Afya Kenya, with a target sample size of 136 doctors. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics to understand the importance of telemedicine in postpartum depression healthcare. The findings revealed that healthcare providers at Access Afya, Kenya hold a positive sentiment towards telemedicine for treating women with postpartum depression. Descriptive analysis highlights the efficiency, assessment, and increased engagement of telemedicine as crucial for maximizing its utility in treating and supporting patients with PPD. Inferential analysis further confirmed a strong positive correlation between telemedicine use and sustained improvement in the treatment of PPD patients, aligning with findings from the literature review. The study underscored the imperative role of telemedicine in enhancing PPD treatment outcomes. It recommends longitudinal studies to assess the long-term effects of telemedicine implementation on postpartum depression treatment.

Keywords: postpartum depression, telemedicine, Access Afya Kenya, healthcare access, mental health, stigma