Patient Satisfaction with Tele-Mental Health Services for Post-Natal Depression Among Women in Zimbabwean High-Density Slums Over Six Months: An Exploratory Study

Post-natal depression (PND) is a prevalent mental health issue among women in high-density slums of Zimbabwean cities. Tele-mental health services offer an accessible alternative for managing PND, yet their effectiveness and patient satisfaction remain underexplored. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including quantitative surveys assessing patient satisfaction scores and qualitative interviews to gain deeper insights into participants' experiences. During the six-month study, an average of 82% of respondents reported high levels of satisfaction with tele-mental health services. Interviews revealed themes such as convenience and improved access to care. Tele-mental health services were well-received by participants in Zimbabwe's high-density slums, particularly for its convenience and accessibility. Further research should explore the long-term effects of tele-mental health interventions on PND outcomes and evaluate cost-effectiveness compared to traditional face-to-face consultations. Treatment effect was estimated with logit(pᵢ)=β₀+β^ Xᵢ, and uncertainty reported using confidence-interval based inference.