Sri Lankan Public Health Midwives’ Knowledge on Maternal Mental Health Disorders

Emotional support and services provided by Public Health Midwives (PHMs) play a crucial role in identification management of maternal mental health disorders as they are the first line contact child-care focal field members caring for antepartum postpartum mothers. Aim this study was to describe Sri Lankan PHMs’ knowledge on disorders. Cross-sectional descriptive conducted using probability proportionate sampling, covering PHMs all districts Lanka. Total 434 were recruited with 99.1% response rate. A content-validated pre-tested questionnaire administered. Univariate multivariate analysis used assess each component selected variables. Respondents’ mean age 40.6 years. Out 430 PHMs, 36% them unaware, that symptoms Depression anxiety could be commonly seen during antenatal period. It found only 21.8% respondents knew average number deaths due suicides Forty seven percentage did not know, providing understanding, empathy most appropriate step managing mothers Postpartum Blues. This findings highlight major deficiencies basic identifying initial common Therefore, focus continuous professional development should prioritized.