Midwives' perceived knowledge, perceptions, and experiences of managing paternal postnatal depression in Tanzania: A...

Paternal postnatal depression (PPND) is an under-recognized condition that affects new fathers' psychological and emotional well-being, which may impact family dynamics, work performance, and childcare. Despite its significance, there is limited awareness and understanding of its management and implications among midwives, especially in Africa.

To explore midwives' experiences of managing PPND in Tanzania.

A qualitative descriptive study explored Tanzanian midwives' perceived knowledge, perceptions, and experience in PPND. Twenty-two midwives were purposively sampled from two hospitals in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, to participate in two focus group discussions. Following Elo and Kyngäs' (2008) framework, qualitative content analysis was employed to identify and interpret patterns in the data.

The midwives acknowledged PPND as significant and frequently encountered but overlooked. They identified risk factors like family health, socioeconomic status, and economic issues alongside emotional, physical, and behavioral symptoms in fathers. Challenges in managing PPND among midwives stem from insufficient resources, systemic obstacles, and societal stigma. Further, societal misconceptions could worsen PPND. To treat PPND, midwives used strategies including interprofessional collaboration, counseling, and education, though they emphasized the need for better training and resources.

While midwives in Tanzania recognized PPND and its impact, there was a pressing need for specialized training and systemic changes to better support affected fathers. Enhancing midwives' knowledge and skills, addressing cultural and societal stigmas, and improving healthcare infrastructure were crucial to effectively managing PPND.