Exploring Access, Utilisation, and Barriers to School Health Systems for Managing Mental Health Challenges: A Case Study of Mapanzure High School, Masvingo District, Zimbabwe.
Introduction: Globally, between the ages of 10 and 19, 15% of teenagers have mental health issues, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Mental health issues in schools lead to dropouts, poor academic performance, social isolation, and increased substance misuse. Various strategies, incl...
| Publicado en: | Health Services Insights Vol. 18; pp. 1 - 14 |
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| Autores principales: | , , |
| Formato: | pictorial research tables/charts Journal Article |
| Publicado: |
Sage Publications Inc.
12/22/2025
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| Acceso en línea: | Ver este registro en EBSCOhost |
| fields | @attributes: recordID: 1 pdfLink: plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=190551899&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: ccm uiTerm: 190551899 longDbName: CINAHL Complete uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: dissinfo: jinfo: jid: 11786329 B10H jtl: Health Services Insights issn: 11786329 maglogo: Y pubinfo: dt: 12/22/2025 vid: 18 pid: 344 pub: Sage Publications Inc. place: Thousand Oaks, California artinfo: ui: 190551899 190551899 190551899 10.1177/11786329251403888 190551899 ppf: 1 ppct: 13 formats: fmt: – @attributes: type: T – @attributes: type: P tig: atl: Exploring Access, Utilisation, and Barriers to School Health Systems for Managing Mental Health Challenges: A Case Study of Mapanzure High School, Masvingo District, Zimbabwe. aug: au: Neganje, Nakei Nelly Khozah, Methembe Yotamu Nunu, Wilfred Njabulo affil: Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Environmental Science, National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe sug: subj: School Health Services Utilization Mental Disorders Prevention and Control Health Services Accessibility Help Seeking Behavior Students, High School Psychosocial Factors Human Zimbabwe Male Female Multimethod Studies Rural Population Schools, Secondary Stratified Random Sample Adolescence Young Adult Questionnaires World Health Organization Coefficient alpha Descriptive Statistics Data Analysis Software Chi Square Test Semi-Structured Interview Thematic Analysis Self Report Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Self Concept Counseling Poverty Substance Abuse Coping Stress, Psychological Peer Group Health Literacy Community Networks Physical Activity Health Promotion Maps Adolescent: 13-18 years Male Female ab: Introduction: Globally, between the ages of 10 and 19, 15% of teenagers have mental health issues, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Mental health issues in schools lead to dropouts, poor academic performance, social isolation, and increased substance misuse. Various strategies, including universal screening and raising mental health literacy, have been implemented. However, constraints like limited resources and inadequate training hinder effective management. Therefore, this paper aimed to explore student access to and utilisation of the school health system for mental health challenges, and to identify key barriers to its effectiveness from the perspective of students and staff in Mapanzure Masvingo District. Methods: A mixed-method survey was used with interviews and questionnaires to gather information from key informants and 62 randomly selected students. The key informants were purposively sampled, including two nurses, two teachers, three health masters, and two administrators. Quantitative data was analysed in Excel and SPSS and presented as tables and graphs, while the qualitative data was recorded, transcribed verbatim, coded, and thematically analysed. Results: The study found a high prevalence of self-reported mental health symptoms among students, including attention deficit (62.9%) and low self-esteem (72.6%). This high burden of need contrasted sharply with utilisation of the school health system was low (40.3%), primarily due to a lack of student awareness. This indicates a significant gap between system provision and student access. Key informants identified health clubs and guidance counselling as core components of the system, but their effectiveness was hampered by major barriers like poverty and substance abuse. Conclusion: It can be concluded that students are experiencing mental health issues, and key informants generally view school health systems as helpful. However, there are certain obstacles, such as poverty and substance use and abuse hindering implementation and optimal functioning of school health systems. These results may help create a supportive and inclusive environment that values student health and emotional wellbeing that can lead to improved academic outcomes and positive life for students. pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: pictorial research tables/charts Journal Article ougenre: Article language: English refInfo: holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
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