JMIR Publications

Background:

Access to mental health care in low-resource settings remains severely constrained by shortages of specialised professionals, geographic inequities, and weak health infrastructures. In Burkina Faso, these challenges are compounded by insecurity and population displacement, increasing mental health needs while limiting service availability. Telepsychiatry, a modality of telemedicine that enables remote psychiatric care through information and communication technologies (ICTs), represents a potential strategy to address these gaps. However, evidence on provider readiness and implementation conditions in Francophone West Africa remains limited.

Objective:

This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of mental health professionals in Burkina Faso regarding telepsychiatry and to identify factors influencing its implementation in a limited-resource context.

Methods:

A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted between February and September 2024 among mental health professionals working in public mental health facilities across Burkina Faso. Given the estimated national workforce of 142 mental health professionals (0.7 per 100,000 inhabitants), an exhaustive non-probability sampling approach was used. A total of 104 eligible professionals were recruited. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire deployed via KoboCollect and distributed through WhatsApp. The questionnaire assessed sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of telepsychiatry, attitudes toward its use, and current practices using five-point Likert-scale items. Composite KAP scores were calculated, and mean scores were used as cutoffs to classify participants as having good knowledge, positive attitudes, or regular practices. Data were analyzed using STATA version 14. Associations were examined using chi-square tests and logistic regression, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) guided interpretation of implementation-related factors.

Results:

The response rate was 100% (104/104). The mean age of participants was 38.6 years (SD ± 8.9).Overall, 64.42% (67/104) of participants demonstrated good knowledge of telepsychiatry, and 51.92% (54/104) reported positive attitudes toward its implementation. Telepsychiatry practices were primarily limited to telephone-based consultations (52.88%, 55/104). Major barriers included concerns about data security and confidentiality (52.88%), inadequate technological infrastructure (47.12%),, and insufficient training(44.23%). Knowledge was significantly associated with years of professional experience (p = 0.02) and urban practice location (p = 0.04), while attitudes were associated with age (p = 0.03) and gender (p = 0.05). No significant association was found between knowledge, attitudes, and actual practices (p > 0.05).

Conclusions:

Mental health professionals in Burkina Faso generally exhibit favourable knowledge and attitudes toward telepsychiatry; however, its routine use remains constrained by structural and organisational barriers. Addressing infrastructure gaps, strengthening workforce training, and reinforcing data protection frameworks are essential for effective telepsychiatry implementation in low-resource settings.

Clinicaltrial: