Perceptions of psychiatric-trained nurses on integrating mental health into primary health care in Africa

Background: This review mapped the perceptions of nurses on the integration of mental health services into primary health care (PHC) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Aim: The study focused on perceptions related to mental health service integration to determine barriers and facilitators from the perspective of nurses. Method: A scoping review was conducted across relevant databases and search engines, resulting in the identification of 120 studies. Four studies met the inclusion criteria for synthesis. Results: The findings indicated that nurses perceived a significant lack of resources and training in mental health care. Barriers such as stigma and workload were prevalent barriers to integration. However, facilitators included support from leadership and multidisciplinary collaboration. Successful integration led to improved patient access to mental health services and reduced stigma. Conclusion: The integration of mental health services into PHC is a complex process influenced by multiple factors. Nurses play a critical role in this integration, and their insights are essential for developing effective strategies for integration. For proper integration of mental health services, it is recommended that resources and training for nurses to integrate mental health services into PHC in LMICs be increased. Addressing barriers like stigma and heavy workloads, along with support from leadership and multidisciplinary collaboration, is essential for improving patient outcomes. Contribution: This study contributes to the knowledge base on integrating mental health services into PHC, offering insights for policymakers and healthcare providers to enhance mental health care delivery in LMICs and similar settings.