Olufunke Ayorinde

Profile

Prior to joining Queen Mary, I worked as a registered nurse and a specialist community health visitor for six years.

My PhD thesis seeks to explore the attitudes and beliefs of Nigerian women living in the United Kingdom towards PMH and the available social support offered.

Public Health England acknowledges that around 10% - 20% of mothers within the United Kingdom (UK) are affected by perinatal mental health (PMH) issues. The World Health Organisation highlights PMH problems as one of the world’s increasing epidemics, and currently, the global statistics state it affects approximately 10% - 30 % of women globally. Also, evidence in the United Kingdom postulates that Black and ethnic minority women have a higher prevalence of PMH conditions than white women and other non-black populations.

Nigerian women who have given birth in the UK within the last five years will be recruited through various channels to explore their lived experiences during their perinatal journey. By adopting an ethnographic method of a qualitative approach, this study will have a deeper understanding of the journey of the Nigerian women during their perinatal period and to know the impact of their experiences with PMH services on their mental health. The goal is to see participants’ behaviour on their terms. The ethnographic study will incorporate participants’ observations and interviews.

My previous qualifications are:

• MA in Healthcare Practice, Greenwich University, London
• MSc in Adult Nursing, University of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
• PGDip in Specialist Community Public Health Visitor, University of Greenwich, London
• BSc In Health Promotion, Middlesex University, London

Research