Healthcare worker burnout: exploring the experiences of doctors working in a maternity unit in Namibia.

BACKGROUND: Globally, healthcare workers (HCWs) in maternity units are at high risk of developing burnout. Burnout can lead to multiple harmful impacts on HCWs, their patients, and the broader healthcare system. Little is known about the burden of burnout among sub-Saharan African HCWs. Although evidence suggests that maternity unit doctors in a hospital complex in Namibia are at risk of developing burnout, no studies have been conducted on doctors in this department yet. METHODS: Through participant observation and a mixed-methods needs assessment, this study aimed to explore the drivers, experiences, and impact of burnout symptoms among doctors in this department, and current support mechanisms in place. Survey data was collected from 18 participants and seven in-depth interviews were conducted. Burnout risk was assessed using the Burnout Assessment Tool. RESULTS: Seven out of 18 participants were at very high risk for burnout and three were at risk, showing a high prevalence of burnout risk. Burnout risk remained similar between levels of staff, while gender qualitatively impacted burnout-related experiences. Drivers of burnout were identified at personal, occupational, and systemic levels. CONCLUSIONS: Over half of participants were at risk or at very high risk of burnout. Results highlighted a need for support and identified areas for intervention and further research. Such areas include blame culture, lack of trust between colleagues, and systemic drivers of burnout. This study contributes to the understanding of burnout among HCWs in sub-Saharan Africa.

Master's degree in sexual and reproductive health: enhancing career development opportunities for midwives in Mali.

BACKGROUND: Midwives' contribution to improving outcomes for women and newborns depends on factors such as quality of pre-service training, access to continuing professional development, and the presence of an enabling work environment. The absence of opportunities for career development increases the likelihood that health professionals, including midwives, will consider leaving the profession due to a lack of incentives to sustain and increase motivation to remain in the field. It also limits the opportunities to better contribute to policy, training, and research. This study aimed to assess the influence of a Master in Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) at the INFSS on midwives' career progression in Mali. METHODS: This mixed methods study was conducted using an online questionnaire, semi-structured interviews, and a document review. The study participants included graduates from two cohorts (N = 22) as well as employers, managers, and teachers of the graduates (N = 20). Data were analysed according to research questions, comparing, and contrasting answers between different groups of respondents. RESULTS: The study revealed that graduates enrolled in the programme primarily to improve their knowledge and skills in management and public health. The graduates' expected roles are those of programme and health project manager and participation in planning and monitoring activities at national or sub-national level. The managers expected the programme to reflect the needs of the health system and equip midwives with skills in management and planning. The Master enhanced opportunities for graduates to advance their career in fields they are not usually working in such as management, research, and supervision. However, the recognition of the master's degree and of the graduates' profile is not yet fully effective. CONCLUSION: The master's degree in SRH is a capacity building programme. Graduates developed skills and acquired advanced knowledge in research and management, as well as a postgraduate degree. However, the master programme needs to be better aligned with health system needs to increase the recognition of graduates' skills and have a more positive impact on graduates' careers.

Adoption of harmonisation policy for the midwives' training programme in Mali: A policy analysis.

West Africa is engaged in a process of harmonising health workers' training programmes as a means to regulate regional training standards and thus improve their quality. There is currently a lack of documented information regarding the adoption of these revised training programmes. In 2012 a harmonised programme, the WAHO competency-based curriculum, was introduced in Mali for training midwives. The present study explores the barriers and facilitators of the adoption of this programme and how the content, context, process, and actor-related factors influenced this. We used a qualitative research design consisting of document analysis (n = 25) and semi-structured interviews (n = 21) with policymakers, students, and those in charge of implementing the training programme. Information was collected on education and training policies, the context and process of the harmonised curriculum development, its adoption, and the actors involved in the adoption strategy, along with their role. The study shows that the adoption of the harmonised curriculum in Mali offered midwives an opportunity to attain a higher standard of training and level of qualification than before. It also displayed both the government's and the public school's willingness and commitment to improve maternal and child health through enhancing midwives' training standards. The most salient factors that influenced adoption were the lack of available resources, and the lack of involvement of, and coordination with, relevant actors for successful policy adoption. Mali's experience of adopting the harmonisation policy of training curricula demonstrates the need for the authorities to collaborate with relevant actors for information dissemination and in the adoption process. It also demonstrates the need for finding innovative ways to secure and diversify funding opportunities, as well as establish a supervisory body for health worker training.

YOUTH AND MENTAL HEALTH: LIFE SATISFACTION, WELLBEING, AND SOCIETAL PARTICIPATION IN THE CONTEXT OF A TRANSITIONING STATE.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: Youth are important societal actors. This is especially relevant when considering countries in transition such as Ukraine. This study examines well-being and societal participation - both key signifiers of mental health - of youth in Ukraine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional survey with open and closed questions was utilized (n= 1562). Participants were asked to reflect on social concerns and to evaluate their well-being in different life spheres and their own mental health through activities such as interpersonal communication, self-perception and relaxation. RESULTS: Results: Students showed positive mental health through their daily activities, but mental health indicated by life satisfaction ranged according to activities, age, gender and environment. Willingness to volunteer and connection to life can be attributed to feelings of learned helplessness in the face of problems deemed too complex, and participation in volunteering was linked to positive mental health and feelings of empowerment. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The study contributes to understanding the status of Ukrainian youth's mental health and the ways in which mental health is expressed. The results of the research assist in identifying avenues to reduce the impact of social frustration, improve mental health of citizens of transitional countries, and encourage social stability.