A new study by the Aga Khan University has revealed alarming rates of mental health conditions among Tanzania’s frontline health workers. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) emerged as the most prevalent issue, affecting one in three community health workers and one in four nurses, midwives, and doctors. The study was conducted by AKU’s Institute for Human Development (IHD) in partnership with the School of Nursing and Midwifery in Tanzania.
Depression and anxiety also posed significant challenges, with 14% of community health workers and 11% of doctors experiencing depression. Anxiety levels were found to be slightly lower, with 8% of community health workers, 7% of doctors, and 4% of nurses and midwives reporting symptoms.
The study, funded by the Johnson and Johnson Foundation, sought to understand the burden of mental health problems among frontline health workers in Tanzania.
Prof Amina Abubakar, Director of the Institute for Human Development, highlighted the seriousness of the findings, stating, “There is a significant burden of mental health issues among front line healthcare workers with the biggest burden being post-traumatic stress disorder which is associated with the distressing situations health workers face in their work on a day-to-day basis.”
The study identified stigma, stress, and years of experience as key predictors of PTSD, with less experienced health workers being particularly vulnerable. One participating doctor shared the intense pressure they face, noting, "When working on emergency cases, you can become involved in a situation where you're treating severely ill patients. The intense pressure and stress that one goes through when treating these patients can lead to the development of PTSD.”
Conducted across six regions in Tanzania - Dar es Salaam, Pwani, Dodoma, Tabora, Arusha, and Mbeya - the study included over 1,800 health workers, including nurses, midwives, doctors, clinical officers and community health workers.
The findings were presented at an event in Dar es salaam, attended by health workers and government officials from the Ministry of Health in Tanzania. Prof Eunice Siaity-Pallangyo, Associate Dean at AKU’s School of Nursing and Midwifery in Tanzania, stressed the importance of addressing these mental health issues. "An essential focus for us at the Aga Khan University is directing attention towards mental health, a critical area that we believe is underrepresented in our discussions and actions. This study brings to light the urgency of comprehensive support and initiatives to safeguard the well-being of healthcare workers," she said.
Dr Omary Ubuguyu, Assistant Director for Non-communicable Diseases, Mental Health and Injuries at the Ministry of Health in Tanzania, echoed the need for prioritising mental health services. He said, “It is widely believed that health care workers are immune to mental health challenges, but today’s research findings show that this is not the case. The Tanzania government is committed to prioritizing mental health services and these insights will help finalise our five-year mental health strategy.”
Prof Eunice Ndirangu-Mugo, Dean of AKU’s School of Nursing and Midwifery, East Africa; emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to tackle these challenges. “As we move to the next phase of the project, we will work with the government and other health stakeholders to develop interventions that respond to the needs of health care workers in Tanzania.”
The study’s findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive mental health support for Tanzania’s frontline health workers, ensuring their well-being as they continue to provide essential services to communities across the country.
