Title : Teen mothers’ perceptions on barriers and facilitators to mental health services utilization in Gasabo District, Rwanda

Background: Mental disorders globally are considered to be among the leading causes of disability. The highest percentages of teen mothers among the whole population are severely affected by mental health disorders. Yet there is still a gap in the number of this group that utilizes the mental health services in Rwanda, even though there is a shown impact of mental health disorders on teenage mothers and their children. This study aimed to explore teen mothers’ perceptions of the barriers to and facilitators of mental health service utilization in Gasabo District.

Methods: This study was conducted in the Gasabo District across three sectors: Remera, Jabana, and Kinyinya. Employing a Phenomenological design and qualitative methods, the study involved 39 participants aged 13 to 19. A purposive sampling procedure was used to select participants. All participants had given birth before the study and had sought mental health services. Data were collected through 15 In-Depth Interviews and three focus Group discussions. The interview guide, structured using the health belief model, facilitated the collection of detailed responses. The Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded. Thematic analysis was performed using NVivo 14 to identify themes and codes from the data.

Results: The study findings identified barriers and facilitators to mental health services utilization as perceived by teen mothers. Primary barriers included the lack of family and societal support, as well as the downplaying of psychological distress, while the important facilitators were mandatory referrals from healthcare providers, peer support programs, and free services.

Conclusion: These findings reveal a need for complete strategies that target the social determinants (family and community support) and health system improvements (continuity of care and awareness campaigns). Targeting these factors is important for improving mental health services utilization and outcomes.

Habimana Odile is a public health practitioner passionate about improving global health through research, advocacy, and knowledge sharing. She holds a Master's in Public Health and has contributed to research on harm reduction, adolescent sexual and reproductive health in refugee camps, and teen mothers' mental health. Odile has co-authored five manuscripts on family planning, domestic workers, LGBTQ+ perceptions, safe abortion, and teen mothers' mental health. Her abstract on adolescent sexual and reproductive health in humanitarian settings was accepted for presentation at the 2026 ANSER Conference hosted by Ghent University. She is currently a research associate at Health Development Initiative, Rwanda.