Mental health literacy of reproductive age women: a qualitative study

Abstract Background Women’s reproductive years are a time of increased vulnerability to mental health problems. However, only a small proportion of women seek help, and seems that poor mental health literacy is a major obstacle in this regard. This study aimed to elucidate the concept and provide a...

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Main Authors: Atefe Safaralinezhad, Minoor Lamyian, Fazlollah Ahmadi, Ali Montazeri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:BMC Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21488-y
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author Atefe Safaralinezhad
Minoor Lamyian
Fazlollah Ahmadi
Ali Montazeri
author_facet Atefe Safaralinezhad
Minoor Lamyian
Fazlollah Ahmadi
Ali Montazeri
author_sort Atefe Safaralinezhad
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Women’s reproductive years are a time of increased vulnerability to mental health problems. However, only a small proportion of women seek help, and seems that poor mental health literacy is a major obstacle in this regard. This study aimed to elucidate the concept and provide a better understanding of the main dimensions of mental health literacy in women of reproductive age. Methods This was a qualitative study. The participants included 14 women of reproductive age and 6 formal service providers. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed using Granheim and Lundman’s conventional content analysis method. Results In all four themes emerged: ‘Knowledge of information sources and the ability to understand mental health’, ‘Ability to use mental health information in women’s lives’, ‘Adapting to mood changes specific to reproductive age’, and ‘Action for mental health promotion’. Conclusions This study sought to better understand the factors affecting mental health literacy in women of reproductive age and provided a detailed descriptive analysis of their knowledge and understanding of various mental health issues.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1471-2458
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spelling doaj-art-37ce02624188470fb0d123845998ad342025-01-19T12:42:06ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-01-0125111310.1186/s12889-025-21488-yMental health literacy of reproductive age women: a qualitative studyAtefe Safaralinezhad0Minoor Lamyian1Fazlollah Ahmadi2Ali Montazeri3Department of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares UniversityDepartment of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares UniversityDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares UniversityPopulation Health Research Group, Health Metrics Research Center, Iranian Institute for Health Sciences Research, ACECRAbstract Background Women’s reproductive years are a time of increased vulnerability to mental health problems. However, only a small proportion of women seek help, and seems that poor mental health literacy is a major obstacle in this regard. This study aimed to elucidate the concept and provide a better understanding of the main dimensions of mental health literacy in women of reproductive age. Methods This was a qualitative study. The participants included 14 women of reproductive age and 6 formal service providers. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed using Granheim and Lundman’s conventional content analysis method. Results In all four themes emerged: ‘Knowledge of information sources and the ability to understand mental health’, ‘Ability to use mental health information in women’s lives’, ‘Adapting to mood changes specific to reproductive age’, and ‘Action for mental health promotion’. Conclusions This study sought to better understand the factors affecting mental health literacy in women of reproductive age and provided a detailed descriptive analysis of their knowledge and understanding of various mental health issues.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21488-yMental health literacyWomenReproductive ageChildbearing ageQualitative study
spellingShingle Atefe Safaralinezhad
Minoor Lamyian
Fazlollah Ahmadi
Ali Montazeri
Mental health literacy of reproductive age women: a qualitative study
BMC Public Health
Mental health literacy
Women
Reproductive age
Childbearing age
Qualitative study
title Mental health literacy of reproductive age women: a qualitative study
title_full Mental health literacy of reproductive age women: a qualitative study
title_fullStr Mental health literacy of reproductive age women: a qualitative study
title_full_unstemmed Mental health literacy of reproductive age women: a qualitative study
title_short Mental health literacy of reproductive age women: a qualitative study
title_sort mental health literacy of reproductive age women a qualitative study
topic Mental health literacy
Women
Reproductive age
Childbearing age
Qualitative study
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21488-y
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AT fazlollahahmadi mentalhealthliteracyofreproductiveagewomenaqualitativestudy
AT alimontazeri mentalhealthliteracyofreproductiveagewomenaqualitativestudy