INTEGRATING PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT INTO OBSTETRIC ULTRASOUND WORKFLOWS IN ZIMBABWE

INTEGRATING PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT INTO OBSTETRIC ULTRASOUND WORKFLOWS IN ZIMBABWE

🎙 Ms T. Manyere 👥 2K 📅 November 4, 2025 ⏱ 10 min 👁 33 📄 original study 🧭 2026-08-16
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

infertilitypsychosocial supportultrasoundZimbabweDASS-21

Summary

This presentation by Ms T. Manyere, a nurse midwife and fertility nurse specialist, addresses the integration of psychosocial support into obstetric ultrasound workflows in Zimbabwe’s public health care system, specifically at Salimabia Central Hospital. The presenter highlights the overlooked emotional impact of infertility, which affects 17.5% of adults globally (WHO 2023). Using a mixed-methods approach, she collected quantitative data from 264 women aged 18-49 using the DASS-21 scale and conducted 15 qualitative interviews. Results indicate moderate depression in 35% of participants, severe emotional distress in 25%, stigma in 40%, and infertility-related gender-based violence in 45%. Qualitative themes reveal that ultrasound procedures, especially during ambiguous or negative diagnoses, trigger distress, and sonographers lack psychosocial training. Recommendations include integrating mental health screening into routine ultrasound appointments, training sonographers in trauma-informed communication, developing peer support groups and referral pathways, and community education to reduce stigma. An implementation plan with four phases is proposed, from training modules to scaling up across public hospitals. The expected impact includes improved maternal mental health outcomes and reduced stigma. The presenter also mentions the initiation of a public fertility clinic at Salugabi in December 2024, which has achieved over 25 pregnancies.

193 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The presentation provides valuable insights into an underexplored intersection of infertility and obstetric ultrasound, particularly in a low-resource setting. The use of mixed methods and a validated tool (DASS-21) strengthens the evidence base. The argumentation is coherent, linking the problem of infertility-related psychosocial distress to the lack of support in ultrasound workflows, and proposing practical, phased interventions. However, the presentation lacks detailed statistical analysis and discussion of limitations, which slightly weakens the scientific rigor.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The presentation cites the World Health Organization (2023) for the global prevalence of infertility, but no other specific sources are mentioned. The reference list is not visible in the transcript. The title accurately reflects the content, and the presentation is based on original research, though not peer-reviewed. The presenter’s professional background adds credibility, but the lack of detailed methodology and peer review limits the overall scientific rigor.

156 words

Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the content, which focuses on integrating psychosocial support into obstetric ultrasound workflows in Zimbabwe.

Quality & Reliability

6/10

The presentation is based on a mixed-methods study with a sample of 264 women and 15 interviews, using a validated tool (DASS-21). However, details on methodology, data analysis, and limitations are limited, and the results are presented without statistical context. The presenter is a nurse midwife with relevant clinical experience, but the study is not peer-reviewed.

Key Moments

Cited Sources

  • World Health Organization (2023) infertility prevalence — Cited for global prevalence of infertility (17.5% of adults)

Concurring Sources

Contribution & Novelties

This presentation contributes to the limited literature on integrating psychosocial support into obstetric ultrasound workflows, particularly in low-resource settings like Zimbabwe. It provides original data on the prevalence of depression, distress, stigma, and gender-based violence among women undergoing ultrasound, and proposes a concrete implementation plan. The novelty lies in its focus on the intersection of infertility and ultrasound, which is often overlooked.

Pour aller plus loin :

107 words

Radar Profile

The radar profile shows moderate scores across all dimensions, with slightly higher scores in information quantity and quality, reflecting a solid but not exceptional presentation. The technical level is moderate, indicating accessibility to a general medical audience. Overall, the presentation is balanced but lacks depth in methodology and sourcing.

Reliability 6/10