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KNUST Nursing and Medical Schools Collaborate to Address Mental Health in Pregnant Adolescent

The KNUST School of Nursing and Midwifery, in collaboration with the School of Medical Sciences, has organized a workshop on interprofessional education focusing on the mental health of pregnant adolescent mothers. The workshop addressed the necessity of interprofessional education and teamwork in preparing future healthcare professionals to address the mental health needs of pregnant adolescents.

The event took place on August 23, 2024, in Lecture Hall 301 at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Boadi and brought together clinical students from KNUST School of Medical Sciences, along with final-year students from the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

Professor Victoria Bam, Vice Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery, highlighted the workshop's purpose, describing it as part of a larger project aimed at providing interprofessional support for the mental health of adolescents. She stated that mental health is a critical focus area within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and stressed the unique challenges that young mothers experience, which can lead to heightened stress and anxiety. "Pregnancy itself can result in various mental health challenges, especially postpartum depression," she explained, adding that such issues are also common among adolescents.

The workshop's primary aim was to enhance students' understanding of the mental health challenges faced by pregnant adolescents and promote interprofessional collaboration. Professor Bam explained, "In clinical settings, healthcare professionals such as nurses, doctors, midwives, etc. often operate independently. However, this workshop encourages a team-based approach to healthcare." She stressed the importance of students learning to assess pregnant women for mental health issues promptly and fostering teamwork across different health professions.

Furthermore, Professor Bam discussed the role of AFREHEALTH in supporting the research project. The project is funded by a small grant from a larger NIH grant awarded to AFREHEALTH. The Principal Investigators (PIs) of the project are Professor Victoria Bam (Lead PI), Prof. Frances E. Owusu-Ansah, Dr. Roderick Emil Larsen-Reindorf, Dr. Abigail Kusi-Amponsah Diji, Mrs. Alberta Lomotey, and Mr. Hayford Budu.

The workshop concluded with positive feedback from participants. Rebecca Tetteh, a final-year BSc Nursing student, shared her reflections on the significance of the workshop, stating, "This workshop is about the mental health of adolescent pregnant mothers, a topic that is often overlooked in Ghana. It is vital for us, as future health professionals, to learn how to assess and intervene appropriately with young pregnant mothers in the community."