The feasibility of a role for community health workers in integrated mental health care for perinatal depression: A qualitative study from Surabaya, Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Indonesian maternal health policies state that community health workers (CHWs) are responsible for detection and referral of pregnant women and postpartum mothers who might suffer from mental health problems (task-sharing). The documents have been published for a while, however reports on the implementation are hardly found which possibly resulted from feasibility issue within the health system. Aims: To examine the feasibility of task-sharing in integrated mental health care to identify perinatal depression in Surabaya, Indonesia. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 62 participants representing four stakeholder groups in primary health care: program managers ..