Telephone-Based Mental Health Promotion for Rural Women in Brazilian Agrarian Reform Communities: Pre-Post Pilot...

Women living in rural agrarian reform communities face intersecting challenges related to social, economic, racial, and gender vulnerabilities, which significantly increase their likelihood of developing physical and mental health problems. Despite the potential of telephone-based interventions to promote mental health, there is a lack of studies assessing their feasibility and effectiveness among underserved populations in Brazil.

This study aimed to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a telephone-based intervention on mental health outcomes among women living in a rural agrarian reform community in Brazil.

We conducted a descriptive, prospective pilot study with a pretest and posttest design. Data were collected at 3 time points: baseline, 1 week, and 1 month after the intervention. The outcomes assessed included quality of life, social support, self-efficacy, and common mental disorder symptoms. Nonparametric tests were used to analyze the data. The intervention consisted of 3 phone calls supported by a workbook, with content based on cognitive behavioral and psychiatric nursing principles.

Of the 31 women enrolled, 23 (74.2%) completed all 3 phone-based sessions. There was a significant reduction in common mental disorder symptoms (Kendall W=0.280; P=.002), particularly in the somatic domain (P=.02). Moreover, participants reported improved perceptions of the physical domain of quality of life (Kendall W=0.131; P=.049). All women rated the intervention positively, with more than half emphasizing its practical usefulness.

The telephone-based intervention was feasible and showed promising results in improving mental health outcomes among women in a rural setting. These findings support integrating low-intensity, remote psychosocial strategies into primary health care, especially those led by nurses, to increase access to mental health promotion for vulnerable populations.