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Ionescu A, Mannell J, Vaughan M, Burgess R. Misunderstood and underappreciated: a critical review of mental health advocacy and activism in low- and middle-income countries. Health Policy Plan 2024; 39:528-539. [PMID: 38441280 PMCID: PMC11095268 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czae016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Mental health advocacy and activism have been highlighted as important in the effort towards creating environments for better mental health. However, relevant research in low- and middle-income country settings remains limited and lacks critical exploration. We seek to contribute to filling this gap by exploring driving factors behind mental health advocacy and activism efforts in low- and middle-income country settings. This review uses a critically informed thematic analysis employing conceptual frameworks of productive power to analyse peer-reviewed articles on mental health advocacy or activism over the last 20 years. We suggest that the current body of research is marred by superficial explorations of activism and advocacy, partly due to a lack of cohesion around definitions. Based on our findings, we suggest a conceptual framework to guide deeper explorations of mental health advocacy and activism. This framework identifies 'legitimacy', 'context' and 'timing' as the main dimensions to consider in understanding activism and advocacy efforts. The fact that they remain misunderstood and underappreciated creates missed opportunities for meaningful inclusion of lived experience in policy decisions and limits our understanding of how communities envision and enact change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alma Ionescu
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom
| | - Jenevieve Mannell
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom
| | - Megan Vaughan
- Institute for Advanced Studies, University College London, South Wing, Wilkins Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Rochelle Burgess
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom
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Zhang L, Chen Y, Li Q, Zhang J, Zhou Y. Barriers and Facilitators to Medical Help-seeking in Rural Patients with Mental Illness: A Qualitative Meta-synthesis. Asian Nurs Res (Korean Soc Nurs Sci) 2024; 18:203-214. [PMID: 38704085 DOI: 10.1016/j.anr.2024.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Numerous barriers hinder individuals with mental illness from seeking medical assistance in rural regions, yet a comprehensive understanding of these challenges remains elusive. This meta-synthesis aims to understand the barriers and facilitators in medical help-seeking among rural individuals with mental illness. METHODS We systematically searched seven databases [PubMed, CINAHL, Medline (OVID), PsycINFO (OVID), Cochrane, Embase, and ProQuest] in May 2023 and included the studies if they reported the barriers or/and facilitators to seek healthcare in rural patients with mental illness. We conducted hand search and citation search on Google Scholar for literature supplements. Thematic analysis was employed. RESULTS The study included 27 articles reporting on the barriers and facilitators to seeking medical help in this population from 2007 to 2023. We ultimately identified themes at three levels: navigating the terrain of vulnerability and empowerment (the individual with mental illness), navigating the terrain of external environment (the external environment) and connectivity within the healthcare ecosystem for mental health (the health service system). CONCLUSIONS We must design more effective strategies to improve mental healthcare access for rural patients, considering cultural nuances and health service utilization patterns. This requires a multi-level approach, tailored to the unique needs of diverse populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linghui Zhang
- Department of Nursing, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yubin Chen
- Department of Nursing, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Qi Li
- Department of Nursing, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Jiayuan Zhang
- Department of Nursing, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yuqiu Zhou
- Department of Medicine, Huzhou University, Huzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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Scholz B, Kirk L, Warner T, O'Brien L, Kecskes Z, Mitchell I. From a Single Voice to Diversity: Reframing 'Representation' in Patient Engagement. QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH 2024:10497323231221674. [PMID: 38229426 DOI: 10.1177/10497323231221674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
There has been a growing emphasis on consumer representation in the development of health policy, services, research, and education. Existing literature has critiqued how discourses of representativeness can disempower consumers working in health systems. The context of the current study is consumer engagement in the development of COVID-19 triage policy and practice in a local health service. Consumer engagement has often been an afterthought in the COVID response, with few examples of consumers in agenda-setting or decision-making roles. In the Australian Capital Territory, 26 consumer, carer, and community groups worked together with academics and clinicians to develop these principles. Interviews were conducted with stakeholders (including consumers, clinicians, and other health professionals) to evaluate the development of triage principles. A discursive psychological approach to analysis was used to explore participants' understandings about and constructions of consumers being representative (or not) and how this may reproduce power imbalances against consumers. The results explore two distinct ways in which participants talked about consumer representativeness: the first drawing on rhetoric about consumers as lay members of the public (as distinct from being professionally engaged in the health sector), and the second in terms of consumer representatives being diverse and having intersectional identities and experiences. Expectations about consumers to be representative of the general population may reproduce traditional power imbalances and silence lived experience expertise. These power imbalances may be challenged by a shift in the way representativeness is conceptualised to requiring health services to seek out diverse and intersectionally marginalised consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett Scholz
- School of Medicine and Psychology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Lucy Kirk
- School of Medicine and Psychology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Terri Warner
- School of Medicine and Psychology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Lauren O'Brien
- ACT Disability, Aged and Carer Advocacy Service, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Zsuzsoka Kecskes
- School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Imogen Mitchell
- School of Medicine and Psychology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- Canberra Health Services, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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Mihretu A, Fekadu W, Alemu AA, Amare B, Assefa D, Misganaw E, Ayele A, Esleman O, Assefa Z, Alem A, Thornicroft G, Hanlon C. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health care and people with mental health conditions in Ethiopia: the MASC mixed-methods study. Int J Ment Health Syst 2023; 17:47. [PMID: 38057791 PMCID: PMC10699067 DOI: 10.1186/s13033-023-00612-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching effects on the mental health of populations around the world, but there has been limited focus on the impact on people with existing mental health conditions in low-income countries. The aim of this study was to examine impact of the pandemic on mental health care and people with mental health conditions in Ethiopia. METHODS A convergent mixed methods study was conducted. We systematically mapped information from publicly available reports on impacts of the pandemic on mental health care. Monthly service utilisation data were obtained from Amanuel Mental Specialised Hospital, the main psychiatric hospital, and analysed using segmented Poisson regression (2019 vs. 2020). In-depth interviews were conducted with 16 purposively selected key informants. Framework analysis was used for qualitative data. Findings from each data source were integrated. RESULTS In the early stages of the pandemic, participants indicated a minimal response towards the mental health aspects of COVID-19. Mental health-related stigma and discrimination was evident. Scarce mental health service settings were diverted to become COVID-19 treatment centres. Mental health care became narrowly biomedical with poorer quality of care due to infrequent follow-up. Households of people with pre-existing mental health conditions in the community reported worsening poverty and decreased access to care due to restricted movement, decreased availability and fear. Lack of reliable medication supplies increased relapse and the chance of becoming chained at home, abandoned or homeless. Caregiver burden was exacerbated. Within mental health facilities, prisons and residential units, infection control procedures did not adequately safeguard those with mental health conditions. Meanwhile, the needs of people with mental health conditions in COVID-19 quarantine and treatment facilities were systematically neglected. Only late in the day were integrated services developed to address both physical and mental health needs. CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic had substantial negative impacts on the lives of people with mental health conditions in Ethiopia. Future emergency response should prioritise the human rights, health, social and economic needs of people with mental health conditions. Integration of mental and physical health care would both expand access to care and increase resilience of the mental health system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Awoke Mihretu
- Department of Psychiatry, WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health Research and Capacity-Building, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Wubalem Fekadu
- Department of Psychiatry, WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health Research and Capacity-Building, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Azeb Asaminew Alemu
- Department of Psychiatry, WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health Research and Capacity-Building, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Beakal Amare
- Department of Psychiatry, WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health Research and Capacity-Building, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Dereje Assefa
- Mental Health Case Team, Disease Prevention and Control Directorate, Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Eleni Misganaw
- Mental Health Service Users Association, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Abebaw Ayele
- Mental Health Case Team, Disease Prevention and Control Directorate, Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Ousman Esleman
- Policy, Plan and Monitoring & Evaluation Directorate, Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Zewdu Assefa
- Center for Public Health Emergency Management, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Atalay Alem
- Department of Psychiatry, WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health Research and Capacity-Building, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Graham Thornicroft
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Department of Health Services and Population Research, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Charlotte Hanlon
- Department of Psychiatry, WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health Research and Capacity-Building, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Department of Health Services and Population Research, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
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Brooks C, Mirzoev T, Chowdhury D, Deuri SP, Madill A. Using evidence in mental health policy agenda-setting in low- and middle-income countries: a conceptual meta-framework from a scoping umbrella review. Health Policy Plan 2023; 38:876-893. [PMID: 37329301 PMCID: PMC10394497 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czad038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to close the gap in frameworks for the use of evidence in the mental health policy agenda-setting in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Agenda-setting is important because mental health remains a culturally sensitive and neglected issue in LMICs. Moreover, effective evidence-informed agenda-setting can help achieve, and sustain, the status of mental health as a policy priority in these low-resource contexts. A scoping 'review of reviews' of evidence-to-policy frameworks was conducted, which followed preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Nineteen reviews met the inclusion criteria. A meta-framework was developed from analysis and narrative synthesis of these 19 reviews, which integrates the key elements identified across studies. It comprises the concepts of evidence, actors, process, context and approach, which are linked via the cross-cutting dimensions of beliefs, values and interests; capacity; power and politics; and trust and relationships. Five accompanying questions act as a guide for applying the meta-framework with relevance to mental health agenda-setting in LMICs. This is a novel and integrative meta-framework for mental health policy agenda-setting in LMICs and, as such, an important contribution to this under-researched area. Two major recommendations are identified from the development of the framework to enhance its implementation. First, given the paucity of formal evidence on mental health in LMICs, informal evidence based on stakeholder experience could be better utilized in these contexts. Second, the use of evidence in mental health agenda-setting in LMICs would be enhanced by involving a broader range of stakeholders in generating, communicating and promoting relevant information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe Brooks
- School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Lifton Terrace, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Tolib Mirzoev
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Diptarup Chowdhury
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur, Assam 784001, India
| | - Sonia Pereira Deuri
- Department of Psychiatric Social Work, Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur, Assam 784001, India
| | - Anna Madill
- School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Lifton Terrace, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
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Undurraga J, Negussie H, Wendler D. Consent, decisional capacity and guardianship in mental health research. Wellcome Open Res 2023; 7:183. [PMID: 37409220 PMCID: PMC10318371 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.18003.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Research with adults who cannot give informed consent has important social value. However, enrolling adults who cannot consent in research raises significant ethical concerns. Methods: To evaluate how researchers in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) can assess individuals' decisional capacity, and the conditions under which it is appropriate, and the conditions under which it is not appropriate to include individuals who lack decisional capacity. Results: In LMICs, where resources may be limited, implementing protections for adults with decisional incapacity can be especially challenging. Recognition of the ethical concerns, and awareness of the circumstances and available resources, offers the means to protect these vulnerable participants. Conclusions: Researchers in low and middle-income countries should be aware of steps they can take to ensure appropriate protections for subjects with decisional impairments while conducting clinical trials on methods to improve their clinical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Undurraga
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarroll, Santiago, Chile
| | - Hanna Negussie
- Center for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - David Wendler
- Department of Bioethics, NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
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7
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Merner B, Schonfeld L, Virgona A, Lowe D, Walsh L, Wardrope C, Graham-Wisener L, Xafis V, Colombo C, Refahi N, Bryden P, Chmielewski R, Martin F, Messino NM, Mussared A, Smith L, Biggar S, Gill M, Menzies D, Gaulden CM, Earnshaw L, Arnott L, Poole N, Ryan RE, Hill S. Consumers' and health providers' views and perceptions of partnering to improve health services design, delivery and evaluation: a co-produced qualitative evidence synthesis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023; 3:CD013274. [PMID: 36917094 PMCID: PMC10065807 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013274.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Partnering with consumers in the planning, delivery and evaluation of health services is an essential component of person-centred care. There are many ways to partner with consumers to improve health services, including formal group partnerships (such as committees, boards or steering groups). However, consumers' and health providers' views and experiences of formal group partnerships remain unclear. In this qualitative evidence synthesis (QES), we focus specifically on formal group partnerships where health providers and consumers share decision-making about planning, delivering and/or evaluating health services. Formal group partnerships were selected because they are widely used throughout the world to improve person-centred care. For the purposes of this QES, the term 'consumer' refers to a person who is a patient, carer or community member who brings their perspective to health service partnerships. 'Health provider' refers to a person with a health policy, management, administrative or clinical role who participates in formal partnerships in an advisory or representative capacity. This QES was co-produced with a Stakeholder Panel of consumers and health providers. The QES was undertaken concurrently with a Cochrane intervention review entitled Effects of consumers and health providers working in partnership on health services planning, delivery and evaluation. OBJECTIVES 1. To synthesise the views and experiences of consumers and health providers of formal partnership approaches that aimed to improve planning, delivery or evaluation of health services. 2. To identify best practice principles for formal partnership approaches in health services by understanding consumers' and health providers' views and experiences. SEARCH METHODS We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO and CINAHL for studies published between January 2000 and October 2018. We also searched grey literature sources including websites of relevant research and policy organisations involved in promoting person-centred care. SELECTION CRITERIA We included qualitative studies that explored consumers' and health providers' perceptions and experiences of partnering in formal group formats to improve the planning, delivery or evaluation of health services. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Following completion of abstract and full-text screening, we used purposive sampling to select a sample of eligible studies that covered a range of pre-defined criteria, including rich data, range of countries and country income level, settings, participants, and types of partnership activities. A Framework Synthesis approach was used to synthesise the findings of the sample. We appraised the quality of each study using the CASP (Critical Appraisal Skill Program) tool. We assessed our confidence in the findings using the GRADE-CERQual (Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research) approach. The Stakeholder Panel was involved in each stage of the review from development of the protocol to development of the best practice principles. MAIN RESULTS We found 182 studies that were eligible for inclusion. From this group, we selected 33 studies to include in the final synthesis. These studies came from a wide range of countries including 28 from high-income countries and five from low- or middle-income countries (LMICs). Each of the studies included the experiences and views of consumers and/or health providers of partnering in formal group formats. The results were divided into the following categories. Contextual factors influencing partnerships: government policy, policy implementation processes and funding, as well as the organisational context of the health service, could facilitate or impede partnering (moderate level of confidence). Consumer recruitment: consumer recruitment occurred in different ways and consumers managed the recruitment process in a minority of studies only (high level of confidence). Recruiting a range of consumers who were reflective of the clinic's demographic population was considered desirable, particularly by health providers (high level of confidence). Some health providers perceived that individual consumers' experiences were not generalisable to the broader population whereas consumers perceived it could be problematic to aim to represent a broad range of community views (high level of confidence). Partnership dynamics and processes: positive interpersonal dynamics between health providers and consumers facilitated partnerships (high level of confidence). However, formal meeting formats and lack of clarity about the consumer role could constrain consumers' involvement (high level of confidence). Health providers' professional status, technical knowledge and use of jargon were intimidating for some consumers (high level of confidence) and consumers could feel their experiential knowledge was not valued (moderate level of confidence). Consumers could also become frustrated when health providers dominated the meeting agenda (moderate level of confidence) and when they experienced token involvement, such as a lack of decision-making power (high level of confidence) Perceived impacts on partnership participants: partnering could affect health provider and consumer participants in both positive and negative ways (high level of confidence). Perceived impacts on health service planning, delivery and evaluation: partnering was perceived to improve the person-centredness of health service culture (high level of confidence), improve the built environment of the health service (high level of confidence), improve health service design and delivery e.g. facilitate 'out of hours' services or treatment closer to home (high level of confidence), enhance community ownership of health services, particularly in LMICs (moderate level of confidence), and improve consumer involvement in strategic decision-making, under certain conditions (moderate level of confidence). There was limited evidence suggesting partnering may improve health service evaluation (very low level of confidence). Best practice principles for formal partnering to promote person-centred care were developed from these findings. The principles were developed collaboratively with the Stakeholder Panel and included leadership and health service culture; diversity; equity; mutual respect; shared vision and regular communication; shared agendas and decision-making; influence and sustainability. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Successful formal group partnerships with consumers require health providers to continually reflect and address power imbalances that may constrain consumers' participation. Such imbalances may be particularly acute in recruitment procedures, meeting structure and content and decision-making processes. Formal group partnerships were perceived to improve the physical environment of health services, the person-centredness of health service culture and health service design and delivery. Implementing the best practice principles may help to address power imbalances, strengthen formal partnering, improve the experiences of consumers and health providers and positively affect partnership outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bronwen Merner
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Lina Schonfeld
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Ariane Virgona
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Dianne Lowe
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
- Child and Family Evidence, Australian Institute of Family Studies, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Louisa Walsh
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Cheryl Wardrope
- Clinical Governance, Metro South Hospital and Health Service, Eight Mile Plains, Australia
| | | | - Vicki Xafis
- The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, Australia
| | - Cinzia Colombo
- Laboratory for medical research and consumer involvement, Department of Public Health, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Nora Refahi
- Consumer Representative, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Paul Bryden
- Consumer Representative, Caboolture, Australia
| | - Renee Chmielewski
- Planning and Patient Experience, The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Lorraine Smith
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Susan Biggar
- Consumer Representative, Melbourne, Australia
- Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), Melbourne, Australia
| | - Marie Gill
- Gill and Wilcox Consultancy, Melbourne, Australia
| | - David Menzies
- Chronic Disease Programs, South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network, Heatherton, Australia
| | - Carolyn M Gaulden
- Detroit Wayne County Authority Health Residency Program, Michigan State University, Providence Hospital, Southfield, Michigan, USA
| | | | | | - Naomi Poole
- Strategy and Innovation, Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, Sydney, Australia
| | - Rebecca E Ryan
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Sophie Hill
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
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8
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Krupa T, Lysaght R, Yehuala YS, Aldersey HM, Adugna MB, Kessler D, Batorowicz B, Montagnese J, Kolomitro K. Activity and participation experiences of people with disabilities in Ethiopia. Afr J Disabil 2022; 11:1002. [PMID: 36246483 PMCID: PMC9558741 DOI: 10.4102/ajod.v11i0.1002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Terry Krupa
- School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Rosemary Lysaght
- School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Yetnayet S. Yehuala
- Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
- School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Heather M. Aldersey
- School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada
- International Centre for the Advancement of Community Based Rehabilitation, Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada
| | | | - Dorothy Kessler
- School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Beata Batorowicz
- School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Jasmine Montagnese
- International Centre for the Advancement of Community Based Rehabilitation, Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada
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9
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Okafor IP, Oyewale DV, Ohazurike C, Ogunyemi AO. Role of traditional beliefs in the knowledge and perceptions of mental health and illness amongst rural-dwelling women in western Nigeria. Afr J Prim Health Care Fam Med 2022; 14:e1-e8. [PMID: 36226933 PMCID: PMC9575354 DOI: 10.4102/phcfm.v14i1.3547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Globally, the public health importance of mental health has gained significant attention in recent years. In Africa, many traditional belief systems impact the perceptions, attitude and management of mental illness. Women are usually the primary caregivers of mentally ill persons, but they have lower mental health literacy. Aim To assess rural women’s knowledge, perceptions and attitudes regarding mental illnesses and the role of traditional beliefs in their management. Setting Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria. Methods This was a cross-sectional study with a total of 295 rural women recruited through a multistage sampling method. A pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Summary and inferential statistics were measured using Epi Info version 7. The level of significance was predetermined at 5%. Results A total of 253 questionnaires were adequately filled and analysed. Overall, just over one-third (35%) of respondents had good knowledge and only 26% had positive attitudes towards mental health and illness. About 45% reported that mental illness should first be treated in ‘the traditional way’, whilst 47% felt that there was no need for collaboration between orthodox and unorthodox healthcare for mental illness. Sociodemographic variables were significantly associated with knowledge (educational level p = 0.001) and attitude (marital status p = 0.001 and ethnicity p = 0.001). Conclusion Respondents had poor knowledge of and attitude towards mental health, and traditional beliefs played a role in their perception and management of mental illness. We recommend community-based health education programmes to improve knowledge and help-seeking for mental illness amongst rural women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ifeoma P Okafor
- Department of Community Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Mushin.
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10
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Abayneh S, Lempp H, Kohrt BA, Alem A, Hanlon C. Using participatory action research to pilot a model of service user and caregiver involvement in mental health system strengthening in Ethiopian primary healthcare: a case study. Int J Ment Health Syst 2022; 16:33. [PMID: 35818056 PMCID: PMC9275138 DOI: 10.1186/s13033-022-00545-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Little is known about actual involvement or how to achieve service user and caregiver in mental health systems strengthening in low-and middle-income countries. This study describes the processes and explores involvement experiences of participants in a pilot study of a new model of service user involvement in mental health system strengthening in a rural district in southern Ethiopia. Methods We applied a case study design using participatory action research (PAR). The PAR process comprised of three stages, each with iterative activities of plan, act, observe and reflect. Two stakeholder groups, a Research Advisory Group (RAG) and Research Participant Group (RPG), were established and collaborated in the PAR process. Data collection involved process documentation of meetings and activities: attendances, workshop minutes, discussion outputs, reflective notes, participatory observation of sessions, and in-depth interviews with 12 RPG members. We analyzed the process data descriptively. Thematic analysis was used for qualitative data. Triangulation and synthesis of findings was carried out to develop the case study. Results The stakeholder groups identified their top research priorities, developed an intervention and action plan and made a public presentation of preliminary findings. Key mechanisms used for inclusive participation included capacity building and bringing together diverse stakeholders, anchoring the study in established strong community involvement structures, and making use of participatory strategies and activities during the PAR process. Four themes were developed about experiences of involvement in PAR: (i) expectations and motivation, (ii) experiences of the dynamics of the PAR process, (iii) perceived impacts of involvement in the PAR process, and (iv) implementation challenges and future directions. Conclusions This case study demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a complex model of service-user involvement in mental health system strengthening in a resource constrained setting. More needs to be done to embed service-user involvement into routines of the primary healthcare system, alongside sustained support and strengthening multi-stakeholder collaboration at multiple levels. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13033-022-00545-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sisay Abayneh
- College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Addis Ababa University, WHO Collaborating Centre in Mental Health Research and Capacity Building, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. .,Madda Walabu University College of Education and Behavoural Studies, Bale Robe, Ethiopia.
| | - Heidi Lempp
- Centre for Rheumatic Diseases, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Weston Education Centre, King's College London, 10, Cutcombe Rd, London, SE5 9RJ, UK
| | - Brandon A Kohrt
- Department of Psychiatry, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Atalay Alem
- College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Addis Ababa University, WHO Collaborating Centre in Mental Health Research and Capacity Building, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Charlotte Hanlon
- College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Addis Ababa University, WHO Collaborating Centre in Mental Health Research and Capacity Building, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.,Centre for Global Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK.,Centre for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT-Africa), College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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11
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Abayneh S, Lempp H, Rai S, Girma E, Getachew M, Alem A, Kohrt BA, Hanlon C. Empowerment training to support service user involvement in mental health system strengthening in rural Ethiopia: a mixed-methods pilot study. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:880. [PMID: 35799252 PMCID: PMC9264546 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08290-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increased service user involvement is recommended to improve weak mental health systems in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, involvement is rarely implemented and interventions to support involvement are sparse. In this study we evaluated the acceptability, feasibility and perceived outcomes of an empowerment and training program for service users and health professionals to facilitate service user involvement in mental health system strengthening in rural Ethiopia. METHODS REducing Stigma among HealthcAreProvidErs (RESHAPE) is a training curriculum for service users, their caregivers and aspirational health workers, which uses PhotoVoice methodology, to prepare them in participation of mental health systems strengthening in LMICs. We delivered the RESHAPE training augmented with empowerment content developed in Ethiopia. The interactive face-to-face training was delivered to service users and caregivers (over 10 days), and health professionals (1 day) separately. The study was an uncontrolled, convergent mixed-methods design. The quantitative data consisted of process data, satisfaction questionnaire, and a retrospective pre-test survey. Qualitative data included exit and follow-up in-depth interviews with the service users. Descriptive statistics were performed for quantitative data, and qualitative data were thematically analysed. The findings were integrated through triangulation for convergent themes following analysis. RESULTS Twelve service users, 12 caregivers and 18 health professionals were enrolled, and completed the training. Participants valued the content and delivery process; the standard of the training program met their expectations and participation led to positive gains in understanding about mental illness, stigma, service-user involvement and human rights. The qualitative findings identified positive impacts, including increased self-confidence, sense of empowerment, social - and perceived therapeutic benefits. CONCLUSIONS We found that the RESHAPE training with added content for Ethiopia, delivered using the PhotoVoice methodology, is feasible, acceptable and of value to develop and implement training programmes which can empower service users to be involved in mental health system strengthening in this setting. Further study to assess the impact on health systems strengthening is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sisay Abayneh
- College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, WHO Collaborating Centre in Mental Health Research and Capacity Building, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Madda Walabu University College of Education and Behavoural Studies, Robe, Ethiopia
| | - Heidi Lempp
- Centre for Rheumatic Diseases, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London, Weston Education Centre 10, Cutcombe Rd., London, SE5 9RJ UK
| | - Sauharda Rai
- Department of Psychiatry, George Washington University, Washington, DC USA
| | - Eshetu Girma
- Depatment of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Medhanit Getachew
- Centre for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT-Africa), College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Atalay Alem
- College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, WHO Collaborating Centre in Mental Health Research and Capacity Building, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Brandon A. Kohrt
- Department of Psychiatry, George Washington University, Washington, DC USA
| | - Charlotte Hanlon
- College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, WHO Collaborating Centre in Mental Health Research and Capacity Building, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Centre for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT-Africa), College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF UK
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12
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Undurraga J, Negussie H, Wendler D. Consent, decisional capacity and guardianship in mental health research. Wellcome Open Res 2022. [DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.18003.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Research with adults who cannot give informed consent has important social value. However, enrolling adults who cannot consent in research raises significant ethical concerns. Methods: To evaluate how researchers in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) can assess individuals’ decisional capacity, and the conditions under which it is appropriate to include and the conditions under which it is appropriate to exclude individuals who lack decisional capacity. Results: In LMICs, where resources may be limited, implementing protections for adults with decisional incapacity can be especially challenging. Recognition of the ethical concerns, and awareness of the circumstances and available resources, offers the means to protect these vulnerable participants. Conclusions: Researchers in low and middle-income countries should be aware of steps they can take to ensure appropriate protections for subjects with decisional impairments while conducting clinical trials on methods to improve their clinical care.
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13
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Girma E, Ketema B, Mulatu T, Kohrt BA, Wahid SS, Heim E, Gronholm PC, Hanlon C, Thornicroft G. Mental health stigma and discrimination in Ethiopia: evidence synthesis to inform stigma reduction interventions. Int J Ment Health Syst 2022; 16:30. [PMID: 35739558 PMCID: PMC9219139 DOI: 10.1186/s13033-022-00540-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND People with mental illnesses are at an increased risk of experiencing human rights violations, stigma and discrimination. Even though mental health stigma and discrimination are universal, there appears to be a higher burden in low- and middle-income countries. Anti-stigma interventions need to be grounded in local evidence. The aim of this paper was to synthesize evidence on mental health stigma and discrimination in Ethiopia to inform the development of anti-stigma interventions. METHODS This evidence synthesis was conducted as a part of formative work for the International Study of Discrimination and Stigma Outcomes (INDIGO) Partnership research program. Electronic searches were conducted using PubMed for scientific articles, and Google Search and Google Scholar were used for grey literature. Records fulfilling eligibility criteria were selected for the evidence synthesis. The findings were synthesized using a framework designed to capture features of mental health stigma to inform cultural adaptation of anti-stigma interventions. RESULTS A total of 37 records (2 grey literature and 35 scientific articles) were included in the evidence synthesis. Some of these records were described more than once depending on themes of the synthesis. The records were synthesized under the themes of explanatory models of stigma (3 records on labels and 4 records on symptoms and causes), perceived and experienced forms of stigma (7 records on public stigma, 6 records on structural stigma, 2 records on courtesy stigma and 4 records on self-stigma), impact of stigma on help-seeking (6 records) and interventions to reduce stigma (12 records). Only two intervention studies assessed stigma reduction- one study showed reduced discrimination due to improved access to effective mental health care, whereas the other study did not find evidence on reduction of discrimination following a community-based rehabilitation intervention in combination with facility-based care. CONCLUSION There is widespread stigma and discrimination in Ethiopia which has contributed to under-utilization of available mental health services in the country. This should be addressed with contextually designed and effective stigma reduction interventions that engage stakeholders (service users, service providers, community representatives and service developers and policy makers) so that the United Nations universal health coverage goal for mental health can be achieved in Ethiopia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eshetu Girma
- School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
| | - Bezawit Ketema
- School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Tesfahun Mulatu
- School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Brandon A Kohrt
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Syed Shabab Wahid
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
- Department of International Health, Georgetown University, DC, Washington, USA
| | - Eva Heim
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Petra C Gronholm
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Centre for Implementation Science, Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Charlotte Hanlon
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health Research and Capacity Building, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Graham Thornicroft
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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14
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Aguwa C, Carrasco T, Odongo N, Riblet N. Barriers to Treatment as a Hindrance to Health and Wellbeing of Individuals with Mental Illnesses in Africa: a Systematic Review. Int J Ment Health Addict 2022; 21:1-17. [PMID: 35035316 PMCID: PMC8744581 DOI: 10.1007/s11469-021-00726-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
African countries continue to neglect the effects of mental illness on their communities. Identifying barriers to treatment and developing mitigation strategies is essential to address the burden of mental illness within Africa. We searched PubMed, Medline, PSYCHInfo, ERIC, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, and reference lists through June 2020. Studies addressed barriers to mental illness treatment affecting patients and/or their care team. Data was extracted using a standardized data collection form. Three independent, blinded reviewers extrapolated qualitative and quantitative data. Themes were summarized qualitatively. Thirteen studies reflecting urban and rural settings qualified for review. Participants were 17 to 58 years old. Males accounted for 49.9% of the study population. Barriers were categorized as attitudinal, economic, physical, political, and infrastructural. Attitudinal barriers were most prevalent; infrastructural barriers were least discussed. Policy and infrastructural implementations would mitigate interconnected barriers and improve health and wellbeing within Africa. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11469-021-00726-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chibuzo Aguwa
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH USA
- School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Tiffani Carrasco
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH USA
| | - Naphtali Odongo
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH USA
| | - Natalie Riblet
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH USA
- Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH USA
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15
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Koly KN, Baskin C, Khanam I, Rao M, Rasheed S, Law GR, Sarker F, Gnani S. Educational and Training Interventions Aimed at Healthcare Workers in the Detection and Management of People With Mental Health Conditions in South and South-East Asia: A Systematic Review. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:741328. [PMID: 34707524 PMCID: PMC8542900 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.741328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: To bridge significant mental health treatment gaps, it is essential that the healthcare workforce is able to detect and manage mental health conditions. We aim to synthesise evidence of effective educational and training interventions aimed at healthcare workers to increase their ability to detect and manage mental health conditions in South and South-East Asia. Methods: Systematic review of six electronic academic databases from January 2000 to August 2020 was performed. All primary research studies were eligible if conducted among healthcare workers in South and South-East Asia and reported education and training interventions to improve detection and management of mental health conditions. Quality of studies were assessed using Modified Cochrane Collaboration, ROBINS-I, and Mixed Methods Appraisal Tools and data synthesised by narrative synthesis. Results are reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines. A review protocol was registered with the PROSPERO database (CRD42020203955). Findings: We included 48 of 3,654 screened articles. Thirty-six reported improvements in knowledge and skills in the detection and management of mental health conditions. Training was predominantly delivered to community and primary care health workers to identify and manage common mental health disorders. Commonly used training included the World Health Organization's mhGAP guidelines (n = 9) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (n = 8) and were successfully tailored and delivered to healthcare workers. Digitally delivered training was found to be acceptable and effective. Only one study analysed cost effectiveness. Few targeted severe mental illnesses and upskilling mental health specialists or offered long-term follow-up or supervision. We found 21 studies were appraised as low/moderate and 19 as high/critical risk of bias. Interpretation: In low resource country settings, upskilling and capacity building of primary care and community healthcare workers can lead to better detection and management of people with mental health disorders and help reduce the treatment gap. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42020203955.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamrun Nahar Koly
- Health System and Population Studies Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr, b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Cleo Baskin
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ivylata Khanam
- Health System and Population Studies Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr, b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mala Rao
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sabrina Rasheed
- Health System and Population Studies Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr, b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Graham R. Law
- School of Health and Social Care, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom
| | - Farhana Sarker
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shamini Gnani
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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16
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Breuer E, Freeman E, Alladi S, Breedt M, Govia I, López-Ortega M, Musyimi C, Oliveira D, Pattabiraman M, Sani TP, Schneider M, Swaffer K, Taylor D, Taylor E, Comas-Herrera A. Active inclusion of people living with dementia in planning for dementia care and services in low- and middle-income countries. DEMENTIA 2021; 21:380-395. [PMID: 34468232 DOI: 10.1177/14713012211041426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Involving people living with dementia in service design and planning has become more common in high-income countries. It remains rare in low- and middle-income countries where two-thirds of the world's people with dementia live. In this commentary article, we explore the barriers to inclusion of people living with dementia in planning in low- and middle-income countries and make a case for the inclusion of people living with dementia in care and service planning. We suggest how this can be done at individual, community or national and state level using the following principles: 1) respecting the rights of people living with dementia to self-determination; 2) valuing people living with dementia's unique understanding of dementia; 3) creating a culture of active inclusion which creates a space for people living with dementia to participate and 4) ensuring appropriate accommodations are in place to maximise participation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Breuer
- College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Emily Freeman
- Care Policy and Evaluation Centre, 4905London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK
| | - Suvarna Alladi
- Department of Neurology, 29148National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Marinda Breedt
- STRiDE South Africa National Advisory Group, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ishtar Govia
- Epidemiology Research Unit, Caribbean Institute for Health Research, 54657The University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica
| | | | - Christine Musyimi
- Africa Mental Health Research and Training Foundation, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Déborah Oliveira
- Department of Psychiatry, 28105Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Tara Puspitarini Sani
- 64732Alzheimer Indonesia and Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Marguerite Schneider
- Alan J. Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, 37716University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Kate Swaffer
- Dementia Alliance International and Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, 8691University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Dubhglas Taylor
- Dementia Alliance International and Dementia Awareness Advocacy Team, Capalaba, QLD, Australia
| | - Eileen Taylor
- Dementia Alliance International and Dementia Awareness Advocacy Team, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Adelina Comas-Herrera
- Care Policy and Evaluation Centre, 4905London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK
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17
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Elias L, Singh A, Burgess RA. In search of 'community': a critical review of community mental health services for women in African settings. Health Policy Plan 2021; 36:205-217. [PMID: 33543248 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czaa140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Community is deemed a central resource for the improvement of health, across disciplines, contexts and conditions. However, what is meant by this term is rarely critically explored. In Global Mental Health, considerable efforts in recent years have been directed towards scaling up 'community' approaches, with variable success, creating the need to better understand approaches to its use. Our study contributes to this need, through a critical review of studies engaging with the term 'community' in relation to women's mental health services in African settings. Our review explored 30 peer-reviewed articles from the past 15 years, which were systematically evaluated for quality of evidence. Studies were then analysed using a blend of conventional and directed content analysis to unpack perspectives on the term's use in intervention and phenomenological studies. We identified four broad categories of community: (1) place (shared geographical location or institutional affiliation), (2) practice (belongingness to a shared activity or profession), (3) symbols (meanings and experiences associated with shared community life) and (4) identity (diagnostic identity around a mental health condition). Analysis identified community of place as the most common primary focus of interest across the sample, with 80% of papers referencing this dimension. We noted that in studies where communities of practice were the focus, this was in relation to leveraging local knowledge to inform or support service delivery of intervention programmes, often designed by outsiders. Implications for future policy and mental health services research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Elias
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Aneeha Singh
- International Research and Exchanges Board (South & South East Asia Centre), 1275 K Street, NW, Suite 600 Washington, DC 20005, USA
| | - Rochelle A Burgess
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK.,Research Associate, Department of Social Work, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
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18
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Koly KN, Baskin C, Lata I, Rao M, Rasheed S, Law G, Gnani S. Educational and training interventions aimed at healthcare workers in the detection and management of people with mental health conditions in South and Southeast Asia: systematic review protocol. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e045615. [PMID: 34215602 PMCID: PMC8256758 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The mental health burden and treatment gap in South and Southeast Asia is high and significant. Capacity building of healthcare workers is essential to support programmes related to the detection and management of patients with mental health conditions. We aim to conduct a systematic review to summarise the research on educational, training and capacity-building interventions aimed at the healthcare workforce in detection and management of mental health conditions in South and Southeast Asia. OBJECTIVE To synthesise evidence on (1) the types of educational and training interventions that have been used to improve the knowledge, skills and attitudes of healthcare workers in South and Southeast Asian countries in the detection and management of mental health conditions; (2) the effectiveness, including cost-effectiveness of the interventions; and (3) the enabling factors and barriers that influence the effectiveness of these interventions. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This review will be conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. We will search six electronic databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Global Health for empirical studies published from 1 January 2000 to 31 August 2020. Search results from each database will be combined and uploaded in Covidence library. Title, abstract and full-text screening, and data extraction of each included study will be performed by two independent reviewers. Disagreements between reviewers will be resolved by a third reviewer and study team. Quality of included studies will be assessed by the modified Cochrane Collaboration tool and ROBINS-I tool. Data will be synthesised and if a meta-analysis is not appropriate, a stepwise thematic analysis will be performed. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethics approval is not required for this study. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, fact sheets, multimedia press briefings, conferences, seminars and symposia. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42020203955.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamrun Nahar Koly
- Health System and Population Studies Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Cleo Baskin
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Ivy Lata
- Health System and Population Studies Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mala Rao
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Sabrina Rasheed
- Health System and Population Studies Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Graham Law
- School of Health and Social Care, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK
| | - Shamini Gnani
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Kafczyk T, Hämel K. Primary mental health care for older persons in India: how age-inclusive are public policies? Health Policy Plan 2021; 36:1371-1383. [PMID: 34137820 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czab067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The need to improve the primary mental healthcare system in India has gained increasing public health attention. Concomitantly, efforts to frame and develop appropriate public mental health care through legislation and related strategies and programmes have been undertaken. Because older people in India are particularly prone to mental health problems, this study explores the inclusiveness of Indian public policies in addressing the primary mental health care needs of older people from a cross-policy perspective. The basis of this thematic document analysis is 41 key national strategic documents (1999-2018) from different thematically grouped policy fields. In the context of population ageing, socio-economic challenges for older people and changing family norms, the policies delineate a pronounced interest in old-age-inclusive primary mental health care, whereas international policies are regarded as important reference points. While some of the policies address older persons as a vulnerable group in general, others delineate a more differentiated picture of the older population. Moreover, as new rights with implications for old-age mental health care, including community-based access to mental health care, have emerged, an integrated old-age mental healthcare policy spanning across sectors remains absent. Although old-age-inclusive primary mental health care is an emerging trend in India, its development as a cross-cutting policy issue remains in its infancy. Accordingly, unambiguous integrated policy approaches are needed to address the complex mental healthcare needs of older persons, and further research should be undertaken to focus on mental healthcare strategies and approaches at the primary care level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Kafczyk
- Department of Health Services Research and Nursing Science, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Universitaetsstrasse 25, Bielefeld 33651, Germany
| | - Kerstin Hämel
- Department of Health Services Research and Nursing Science, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Universitaetsstrasse 25, Bielefeld 33651, Germany
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20
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Murphy J, Qureshi O, Endale T, Esponda GM, Pathare S, Eaton J, De Silva M, Ryan G. Barriers and drivers to stakeholder engagement in global mental health projects. Int J Ment Health Syst 2021; 15:30. [PMID: 33812375 PMCID: PMC8019163 DOI: 10.1186/s13033-021-00458-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Engagement with diverse stakeholders, including policy makers, care providers and service users and communities, is essential for successful implementation of global mental health interventions. Despite being a fundamental factor in the implementation process, evidence about challenges and drivers to stakeholder engagement is limited in the global mental health literature. Methods We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 29 recipients of Grand Challenges Canada Global Mental Health funding to assess barriers and drivers to global mental health implementation across a portfolio of projects. We used framework analysis to identify key themes related to implementation barriers and drivers. This paper reports on barriers and drivers to stakeholder engagement, with results related to capacity development and service delivery reported elsewhere in this journal. Results Barriers and drivers to stakeholder engagement were identified across four themes: (1) Contextual Considerations, (2) Resources, (3) Participation, Uptake and Empowerment, and (4) Stigma. While complex contextual challenges create barriers, mechanisms such as formative research can facilitate a deeper contextual understanding that supports effective implementation planning. Limited financial and human resources and competing priorities can lead to substantial challenges. Investing in and leveraging existing local resources and expertise can help to mitigate these barriers. The challenge of achieving active participation from stakeholders and diverging expectations about the nature of participation were identified as barriers, while providing opportunities for meaningful participation and empowerment acted as drivers. Stigma at the institutional, community and individual level was also identified as a substantial barrier to engagement. Conclusion The findings of this study are relevant to implementers in global mental health. They also have implications for global mental health funding agencies and policy organizations, who can support improved stakeholder engagement by investing in high-quality formative research, supporting capacity building for policy engagement, investing in longer-term funding schemes to support sustainable partnerships and scale-up, thus fostering successful engagement and supporting effective implementation of global mental health innovations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill Murphy
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2255 Westbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2A1, Canada.
| | - Onaiza Qureshi
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, Bloomsbury, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Tarik Endale
- Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Georgina Miguel Esponda
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Soumitra Pathare
- Centre for Mental Health Law and Policy, Indian Law Society, Pune, 411004, India
| | - Julian Eaton
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, Bloomsbury, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Mary De Silva
- Wellcome Trust, 215 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BE, UK
| | - Grace Ryan
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, Bloomsbury, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
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Zanardo ABR, Rodríguez AMMM, Ventura CAA. Living conditions of persons with mental and behavioral disorders in a psychiatric hospital, São Paulo, Brazil. Arch Psychiatr Nurs 2021; 35:49-55. [PMID: 33593515 DOI: 10.1016/j.apnu.2020.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to identify the conditions of life of patients with mental and behavioral disorders admitted to a specialized hospital in an inner city in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, and their possible relationship with inequities and social exclusion. The information about the conditions of life was gathered through medical records and structured interviews with the patients. The data collected were compared with the recent literature on the subject. We conclude that the conditions of health, life and social vulnerability are associated with changes in family and social relationships, stigma, discrimination and prejudice, and barriers to the exercise of citizenship for these patients. Findings confirm the need for equity in this group's access to the exercise of human rights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Beatriz Rizzo Zanardo
- Graduate Program on Psychiatric Nursing, University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, Avenida Bandeirantes, 3900 - Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, SP CEP:14040-902, Brazil.
| | - Anna Maria Meyer Maciel Rodríguez
- University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, Avenida Bandeirantes, 3900 - Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, SP CEP:14040-902, Brazil
| | - Carla Aparecida Arena Ventura
- Department of Psychiatric Nursing and Human Sciences, University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, Avenida Bandeirantes, 3900 - Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, SP CEP:14040-902, Brazil.
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Policymaking through a knowledge lens: Using the embodied-enacted-inscribed knowledge framework to illuminate the transfer of knowledge in a mental health policy consultation process - A South African case study. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0244940. [PMID: 33439892 PMCID: PMC7806173 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Marrying principles of evidence-based policymaking, with its focus on what works, with principles of consultative policymaking, with its focus on what works for whom, means finding ways to integrate multiple knowledge inputs into policy decisions. Viewed through the lens of the embodied-enacted-inscribed knowledge framework, policy consultation is a site of knowledge enactment, where the embodied knowledge enacted by individuals engages with the inscribed knowledge contained in policy documents, creating new forms of embodied and inscribed knowledge that move beyond these spaces. Aim Using this knowledge framework, this study aimed to trace the movement of knowledge inputs through South Africa’s mental health policy consultation summit. Methods Breakaway group session transcripts from the national consultation summit were thematically analysed to identify the types of knowledge that participants explicitly drew on (experiential or evidence-based) during discussions and how these knowledge inputs were used, responded to, and captured. Findings Findings suggest that there was little explicit reference to either evidence-based or experiential knowledge in most of the talk. While slightly more evidence-based than experiential knowledge claims were made, this did not render these claims any more likely to be responded to or engaged with in group discussions, or to be inscribed in group recommendations. Discussion The importance of designing participatory processes that enable optimal use of knowledge inputs in these enacted spaces is discussed. Conclusion Attending to the specific ways in which knowledge is transformed and moved through a policy consultation process has the potential to enhance the value that consultation offers policymakers.
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Endale T, Qureshi O, Ryan GK, Esponda GM, Verhey R, Eaton J, De Silva M, Murphy J. Barriers and drivers to capacity-building in global mental health projects. Int J Ment Health Syst 2020; 14:89. [PMID: 33292389 PMCID: PMC7712613 DOI: 10.1186/s13033-020-00420-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The global shortage of mental health workers is a significant barrier to the implementation and scale-up of mental health services. Partially as a result of this shortage, approximately 85% of people with mental, neurological and substance-use disorders in low- and middle-income countries do not receive care. Consequently, developing and implementing scalable solutions for mental health capacity-building has been identified as a priority in global mental health. There remains limited evidence to inform best practices for capacity building in global mental health. As one in a series of four papers on factors affecting the implementation of mental health projects in low- and middle-income countries, this paper reflects on the experiences of global mental health grantees funded by Grand Challenges Canada, focusing on the barriers to and drivers of capacity-building. METHODS Between June 2014 and May 2017, current or former Grand Challenges Canada Global Mental Health grantees were recruited using purposive sampling. N = 29 grantees participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews, representing projects in Central America and the Caribbean (n = 4), South America (n = 1), West Africa (n = 4), East Africa (n = 6), South Asia (n = 11) and Southeast Asia (n = 3). Based on the results of a quantitative analysis of project outcomes using a portfolio-level Theory of Change framework, six key themes were identified as important to implementation success. As part of a larger multi-method study, this paper utilized a framework analysis to explore the themes related to capacity-building. RESULTS Study participants described barriers and facilitators to capacity building within three broad themes: (1) training, (2) supervision, and (3) quality assurance. Running throughout these thematic areas were the crosscutting themes of contextual understanding, human resources, and sustainability. Additionally, participants described approaches and mechanisms for successful capacity building. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates the importance of capacity building to global mental health research and implementation, its relationship to stakeholder engagement and service delivery, and the implications for funders, implementers, and researchers alike. Investment in formative research, contextual understanding, stakeholder engagement, policy influence, and integration into existing systems of education and service delivery is crucial for the success of capacity building efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarik Endale
- Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, 525 West 201th Street, New York, NY, 10027, USA.
| | - Onaiza Qureshi
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Grace Kathryn Ryan
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Georgina Miguel Esponda
- Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Ruth Verhey
- Research Support Centre, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Julian Eaton
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- CBM Global, Bensheim, Germany
| | - Mary De Silva
- Department of Population Health, Wellcome Trust, London, UK
| | - Jill Murphy
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Abstract
Perinatal mental health has become a significant focus of interest in recent years, with investment in new specialist mental health services in some high-income countries, and inpatient psychiatric mother and baby units in diverse settings. In this paper, we summarize and critically examine the epidemiology and impact of perinatal mental disorders, including emerging evidence of an increase of their prevalence in young pregnant women. Perinatal mental disorders are among the commonest morbidities of pregnancy, and make an important contribution to maternal mortality, as well as to adverse neonatal, infant and child outcomes. We then review the current evidence base on interventions, including individual level and public health ones, as well as service delivery models. Randomized controlled trials provide evidence on the effectiveness of psychological and psychosocial interventions at the individual level, though it is not yet clear which women with perinatal mental disorders also need additional support for parenting. The evidence base on psychotropic use in pregnancy is almost exclusively observational. There is little research on the full range of perinatal mental disorders, on how to improve access to treatment for women with psychosocial difficulties, and on the effectiveness of different service delivery models. We conclude with research and clinical implications, which, we argue, highlight the need for an extension of generic psychiatric services to include preconception care, and further investment into public health interventions, in addition to perinatal mental health services, potentially for women and men, to reduce maternal and child morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise M. Howard
- Section of Women's Mental Health, Health Service and Population Research DepartmentInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Hind Khalifeh
- Section of Women's Mental Health, Health Service and Population Research DepartmentInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College LondonLondonUK
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Carbonell Á, Navarro-Pérez JJ, Mestre MV. Challenges and barriers in mental healthcare systems and their impact on the family: A systematic integrative review. HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY 2020; 28:1366-1379. [PMID: 32115797 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.12968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this systematic integrative review is to analyse the challenges and barriers found in mental healthcare systems and the impact they have on the family. Searches were made of the Web of Science, Scopus, Medline and Cochrane databases using terms relating to mental health, family care and healthcare systems. We included and critically evaluated studies published in English between 2015 and 2019 that directly or indirectly analysed public mental health policies and the consequences they have for the family. We analysed our findings following the inductive content analysis approach. A total of 32 articles that met quality indicators were identified. Very closely related structural, cultural, economic and healthcare barriers were found that contribute to the treatment gap in mental health. The family covers the care systems' deficiencies and weaknesses, and this leads to overload and a diminishing quality of life for caregivers. It is acknowledged that people with mental illness and their families should be able to participate in the development of policies and thus contribute to strengthening mental healthcare systems worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángela Carbonell
- Inter-University Research of Local Development (IidL) and Social Work and Social Services Department, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - José-Javier Navarro-Pérez
- Inter-University Research of Local Development (IidL) and Social Work and Social Services Department, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
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Abayneh S, Lempp H, Alem A, Kohrt BA, Fekadu A, Hanlon C. Developing a Theory of Change model of service user and caregiver involvement in mental health system strengthening in primary health care in rural Ethiopia. Int J Ment Health Syst 2020; 14:51. [PMID: 32760440 PMCID: PMC7379363 DOI: 10.1186/s13033-020-00383-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The involvement of service users and caregivers is recommended as a strategy to strengthen health systems and scale up quality mental healthcare equitably, particularly in low-and-middle-income countries. Service user and caregiver involvement is complex, and its meaningful implementation seems to be a worldwide challenge. Theory of Change (ToC) has been recommended to guide the development, implementation and evaluation of such complex interventions. This paper aims to describe a ToC model for service user and caregiver involvement in a primary mental health care in rural Ethiopia. METHODS The ToC was developed in two workshops conducted in (i) Addis Ababa with purposively selected psychiatrists (n = 4) and multidisciplinary researchers (n = 3), and (ii) a rural district in south-central Ethiopia (Sodo), with community stakeholders (n = 24). Information from the workshops (provisional ToC maps, minutes, audio recordings), and inputs from a previous qualitative study were triangulated to develop the detailed ToC map. This ToC map was further refined with written feedback and further consultative meetings with the research team (n = 6) and community stakeholders (n = 35). RESULTS The experiential knowledge and professional expertise of ToC participants combined to produce a ToC map that incorporated key components (community, health organisation, service user and caregiver), necessary interventions, preconditions, assumptions and indicators towards the long-term outcomes. The participatory nature of ToC by itself raised awareness of the possibilities for servicer user and caregiver involvement, promoted co-working and stimulated immediate commitments to mobilise support for a grass roots service user organization. CONCLUSIONS The ToC workshops provided an opportunity to co-produce a ToC for service user and caregiver involvement in mental health system strengthening linked to the planned model for scale-up of mental health care in Ethiopia. The next steps will be to pilot a multi-faceted intervention based on the ToC and link locally generated evidence to published evidence and theories to refine the ToC for broader transferability to other mental health settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sisay Abayneh
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, WHO Collaborating Centre in Mental Health Research and Capacity Building, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Heidi Lempp
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Centre for Rheumatic Diseases, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, Weston Education Centre 10, Cutcombe Rd, London, SE5 9RJ UK
| | - Atalay Alem
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, WHO Collaborating Centre in Mental Health Research and Capacity Building, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Brandon A. Kohrt
- Department of Psychiatry, George Washington University, Washington, DC USA
| | - Abebaw Fekadu
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, WHO Collaborating Centre in Mental Health Research and Capacity Building, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- College of Health Sciences, Centre for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT-Africa), Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Department of Global Health & Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK
| | - Charlotte Hanlon
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, WHO Collaborating Centre in Mental Health Research and Capacity Building, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- College of Health Sciences, Centre for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT-Africa), Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF UK
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Irmansyah I, Susanti H, James K, Lovell K, Idaiani S, Imah S, Hargiana G, Keliat BA, Utomo B, Colucci E, Brooks H. Civic engagement and mental health system strengthening in Indonesia: a qualitative examination of the views of health professionals and national key stakeholders. BMC Psychiatry 2020; 20:172. [PMID: 32295558 PMCID: PMC7161291 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-020-02575-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mental health services in Indonesia are developing rapidly in response to national and global health policy to support people living with psychosis. This presents a unique opportunity for civic engagement, the active involvement of patients, carers and communities in mental health care, to shape emergent services. In-depth explorations of the views of professionals and other key stakeholders in mental health care on the use of civic engagement in Indonesia are lacking which contributes to a limited understanding of its potential in this regard. The study aimed to explore contemporary professionals' and other key stakeholders' perspectives on the current use of and potential for civic engagement to strengthen mental health systems in Indonesia. METHODS Qualitative interviews were undertaken and analysed using thematic analysis underpinned by a critical realist approach. Eighteen multi-disciplinary professionals and lay health workers involved in mental health care in Jakarta and Bogor and 10 national key stakeholders were recruited. RESULTS Despite high levels of awareness of and support for civic engagement amongst mental health professionals and policy makers combined with a nascent grass roots movement, analysis revealed unstructured and insufficient mechanisms for civic engagement which resulted in ad-hoc and mostly superficial levels of involvement activity. Civic engagement was thought to require a marked shift in existing practices as well as organisational and societal cultures. Challenging stigma is a key feature of civic engagement and our analysis highlights the relevance of social contact methods which are locally and culturally contextualised in this regard. Our findings point to a need to expand current definitions of civic engagement which focus on indivdiual enablement to ones that also encompass environmental and organisational enablement to optimise the future use of civic engagement in mental health settings. CONCLUSIONS Key mental health stakeholders have identified that central aspects of Indonesian culture are well aligned to the ethos of civic engagement which has the potential to facilitate the enactment of recent global health policy. However, full realisation is likely to be impeded by prevailing paternalistic cultures in mental health services and high levels of stigma and discrimination towards those with mental illness in Indonesia without intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irman Irmansyah
- National Institute of Health Research and Development, Jakarta, Indonesia.,Marzoeki Mahdi Hospital, Bogor, Indonesia
| | - Herni Susanti
- Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
| | - Karen James
- Centre for Health and Social Care Research, Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education, Kingston and St Georges, London, UK
| | - Karina Lovell
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.,Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Sri Idaiani
- National Institute of Health Research and Development, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Soimah Imah
- National Institute of Health Research and Development, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Giur Hargiana
- Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
| | | | | | | | - Helen Brooks
- Department of Health Services Research, Institute of Population Health Sciences, University of Liverpool, Room B112, Waterhouse Building Block B, Liverpool, UK.
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Susanti H, James K, Utomo B, Keliat B, Lovell K, Irmansyah I, Rose D, Colucci E, Brooks H. Exploring the potential use of patient and public involvement to strengthen Indonesian mental health care for people with psychosis: A qualitative exploration of the views of service users and carers. Health Expect 2020; 23:377-387. [PMID: 31782266 PMCID: PMC7104636 DOI: 10.1111/hex.13007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patient and public involvement (PPI) has the potential to strengthen mental health systems in Indonesia and improve care for people living with psychosis. Current evidence from other parts of the world demonstrates the need to understand the contexts in which PPI is to be enacted to ensure optimal implementation. OBJECTIVE To understand service users' and carers' views on the current use and potential applicability of PPI within Indonesian mental health services. DESIGN Qualitative study incorporating focus groups analysed using thematic analysis. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Participants included 22 service users and 21 carers recruited from two study sites in Indonesia (Jakarta and Bogor). All participants had experience of psychosis either as a service user or carer. RESULTS Despite the value attributed to PPI in relation to improving services and promoting recovery, current use of such activities in Indonesian mental health services was limited. Participants expressed a desire for greater levels of involvement and more holistic care but felt community organizations were best placed to deliver this because PPI was considered more congruent with the ethos of third-sector organizations. Additional barriers to PPI included stigma and low levels of mental health literacy in both health services and communities. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Participants felt that there was potential value in the use of PPI within Indonesian mental health services with careful consideration of individual contexts. Future aspirations of involvement enactment should ensure a central design and delivery role for third-sector organizations. Facilitators to global collaborative research in the context of the current study are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herni Susanti
- Faculty of NursingUniversitas IndonesiaDepokIndonesia
| | - Karen James
- Faculty of Health, Social Care and EducationCentre for Health and Social Care ResearchKingston and St GeorgesLondonUK
| | | | | | - Karina Lovell
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social WorkSchool of Health SciencesFaculty of Biology, Medicine and HealthUniversity of ManchesterManchester Academic Health Science CentreManchesterUK
- Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation TrustManchesterUK
| | - I Irmansyah
- National Institute of Health Research and DevelopmentJakartaIndonesia
- Marzoeki Mahdi HospitalBogorIndonesia
| | - Diana Rose
- Department of Health Services ResearchKings College LondonLondonUK
| | | | - Helen Brooks
- Department of Health Services ResearchInstitute of Population Health SciencesUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
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Hall T, Kakuma R, Palmer L, Minas H, Martins J, Armstrong G. Service user and family participation in mental health policy making in Timor-Leste: a qualitative study with multiple stakeholders. BMC Psychiatry 2020; 20:117. [PMID: 32164633 PMCID: PMC7069011 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-020-02521-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Participation in mental health system strengthening by people with mental health problems and their families is a cornerstone of people-centred mental health care, yet there is a dearth of research about participation from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly from the Asia Pacific region. Hence, this study aimed to assess the current situation, challenges, enabling factors and future actions for service user and family participation in mental health policy making in Timor-Leste. METHODS In-depth interviews were conducted with 85 adults (≥18 years) who were: (1) mental health service users (n = 20) and their families (n = 10); (2) government decision makers (n = 10); (3) mental health and social service providers (n = 23); (4) civil society (n = 9); and (5) other groups (n = 13). Interview data was analysed using framework analysis. RESULTS There was limited service user, family and community participation in mental health policy making in Timor-Leste. Perceptions that policy making is a technical exercise and that people with mental health problems lack cognitive capacity, and a lack of supportive mechanisms challenged participation. Enabling factors were a strong focus on human rights within the social sector, and existing mechanisms for advocacy and representation of people with disabilities in social policy making. Participants suggested bolstering civil society representation of people with mental health problems, and increasing mental health awareness and literacy, including government competencies to facilitate service user participation. CONCLUSION The findings highlight the need for theoretical and practical focus on the role of family within mental health system development in LMICs. Global mental health research and practice should adopt a critical approach to mental health service user and family participation to ensure that the concept and strategies to achieve this are embedded in LMIC knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Hall
- Nossal Institute for Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Exhibition Street, Melbourne, 3004, Australia.
| | - Ritsuko Kakuma
- grid.8991.90000 0004 0425 469XLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XCentre for Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Lisa Palmer
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XSchool of Geography, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Harry Minas
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XCentre for Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - João Martins
- grid.449369.5Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, National University of Timor-Leste, Dili, Timor-Leste
| | - Greg Armstrong
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XNossal Institute for Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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James K, Brooks H, Susanti H, Waddingham J, Irmansyah I, Keliat BA, Utomo B, Rose D, Colucci E, Lovell K. Implementing civic engagement within mental health services in South East Asia: a systematic review and realist synthesis of current evidence. Int J Ment Health Syst 2020; 14:17. [PMID: 32175004 PMCID: PMC7063827 DOI: 10.1186/s13033-020-00352-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Civic engagement (CE) has the potential to transform mental health services and could be particularly important for low and middle-income countries (LMICs), which are rapidly developing to respond to the burden of poor mental health. Research from high income countries has found many challenges associated with the meaningful implementation of CE in practice, but this has been underexplored in LIMCS and in South East Asia (SEA) in particular. METHODS We completed a realist synthesis and systematic review of peer reviewed publications and grey literature to identify the context and actions which promote successful implementation of CE approaches in SEA. We used a theory-driven approach-realist synthesis-to analyse data and develop context-mechanism-outcome configurations that can be used to explain how civic engagement approaches operate in South East Asian contexts. We worked closely with patient and public representatives to guide the review from the outset. RESULTS Fifty-seven published and unpublished articles were included, 24 were evaluations of CE, including two Randomized Controlled Trials. The majority of CE interventions featured uptake or adaptation of Western models of care. We identified important cultural differences in the enactment of civic engagement in SEA contexts and four mechanisms which, alongside their contextual barriers and facilitators, can be used to explain how civic engagement produces a range of outcomes for people experiencing mental health problems, their families and communities. Our review illustrates how CE interventions can be successfully implemented in SEA, however Western models should be adapted to fit with local cultures and values to promote successful implementation. Barriers to implementation included distrust of services/outside agencies, stigma, paternalistic cultures, limited resource and infrastructure. CONCLUSION Our findings provide guidance for the implementation of CE approaches within SEA contexts and identify areas for further research. Due to the collectivist nature of many SEA cultures, and the impact of shared traumas on community mental health, CE might best be implemented at community level, with a focus on relational decision making.Registration This review is registered on PROSPERO: CRD42018087841.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen James
- Centre for Health and Social Care Research, Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education, Kingston and St Georges, 6th Floor Hunter Wing, Cranmer Terrace, London, UK
| | - Helen Brooks
- Department of Health Services Research, Institute of Population Health Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Herni Susanti
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
| | | | - Irman Irmansyah
- National Institute of Health Research and Development, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Marzoeki Mahdi Hospital, Bogor, Indonesia
| | | | - Bagus Utomo
- Komunitas Peduli Skizofrenia Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Diana Rose
- Department of Health Services Research, Kings College London, London, UK
| | | | - Karina Lovell
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
- Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
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Marais DL, Quayle M, Petersen I. Making consultation meaningful: Insights from a case study of the South African mental health policy consultation process. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0228281. [PMID: 31995612 PMCID: PMC6988953 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is widely recognised that mental health policies should be developed in consultation with those tasked with their implementation and the users affected by them. In the South African legislative context public participation in policymaking is assumed, with little guidance on how to conduct consultation processes, nor how to use consultation inputs in policy decisions. METHODS The South African Mental Health Policy Framework and Strategic Plan was adopted in 2013 after an extensive consultation process. Focussing on the 2012 provincial and national consultation summit, this case-study conducted key informant interviews and undertook documentary analysis to explore the process through which consultation inputs were-or were not-transferred to inform this policy. Between 2013 and 2016 seven interviews were conducted, and 11 documents (policy drafts and summit outputs) and transcripts of 23 audio-recorded sessions from the national summit were analysed. RESULTS Findings revealed that no substantive changes were made to the mental health policy following the consultation summits. There do not seem to have been systematic processes for facilitating and capturing knowledge inputs, or for transferring these inputs between provincial and national levels. There was also no further consultation regarding priorities identified for implementation prior to finalisation of the policy, with participants highlighting concerns about policy implementation at local levels as a result. This represents a lost opportunity for greater involvement of service users in policy development. CONCLUSIONS Together with poor service-user representation, the format of the consultation process limited participant interaction and the possibility for engagement with, or uptake of, more experiential forms of knowledge. Several procedural elements were found to limit the elicitation and transference of consultation contributions for uptake into policy. Recommendations for future policy consultations include adapting the format of participatory processes to enable optimal use of participant knowledge, as well as greater service-user participation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debra Leigh Marais
- Undergraduate Research Office, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Michael Quayle
- Centre for Social Issues Research, Department of Psychology, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
- Department of Psychology, School of Applied Human Sciences University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Inge Petersen
- Centre for Rural Health, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Abayneh S, Lempp H, Hanlon C. Participatory action research to pilot a model of mental health service user involvement in an Ethiopian rural primary healthcare setting: study protocol. RESEARCH INVOLVEMENT AND ENGAGEMENT 2020; 6:2. [PMID: 31934350 PMCID: PMC6951014 DOI: 10.1186/s40900-019-0175-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Involvement of service-users at all levels of the mental health system is a policy imperative in many countries internationally. However, putting policy into practice seems complex; little is known about how best to involve service users and efforts are often criticized for being tokenistic. In low-and-middle income countries, less attention has been given to the roles of service users within mental health systems. The proposed study is part of a larger project intended to develop service-user involvement in mental health system strengthening in Ethiopia. A Theory of Change (ToC) model has already been developed through a participatory approach. This study protocol aims to describe the theoretical background and methods to pilot this model using participatory action research (PAR) and explore participants' experience of involvement. METHODS The proposed study will apply a PAR approach situated in critical social theory and conduct a phenomenological case study to find out participants' experience of involvement. This will be conducted in three stages. The focus of Stage 1 will be to(i) establish a Research Advisory Group (RAG), and Research Participant Group (RPG) at district and primary healthcare facility levels, respectively, and (ii) identify and prioritize potential areas of concern for involvement in the domains of advocacy, service planning and development, monitoring and improving service quality. In Stage 2, we will work with the RPG to develop a plan of action for the selected area. Stage 3 will aim to assist the RPG to implement and evaluate the plan of action. Process indicators and observation will be combined with in-depth interviews with participants to elicit their experiences of involvement. Thematic content analysis will be used. DISCUSSION The participatory approach to mental health service user involvement in health system strengthening employed by this study will support the implementation of solutions through locally relevant and contextualized actions. Findings from this study will contribute to the body of knowledge towards understanding the complexity of implementation of service user involvement and refine the ToC model for transferability to similar settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sisay Abayneh
- College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health Research and Capacity-Building, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Heidi Lempp
- King’s College London, Centre for Rheumatic Diseases, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Weston Education Centre, 10, Cutcombe Rd, London, SE5 9RJ UK
| | - Charlotte Hanlon
- College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health Research and Capacity-Building, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- King’s College London, Centre for Global Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF UK
- Centre for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT-Africa), College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Montenegro CR, Mercado N. Communities, health-care organizations and the contingencies and contradictions of engagement: A case study from Chile. Health Expect 2019; 23:229-237. [PMID: 31713978 PMCID: PMC6978871 DOI: 10.1111/hex.12996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Context Despite a growing interest in service‐user involvement in mental health services, the interaction between health institutions and local groups is only beginning to receive attention, particularly in global south settings. Objective Looking at a participatory initiative in Chile, this study explores how, under unfavourable administrative conditions, health organizations approach and work with communities. Methods We interviewed policy‐makers (5), local professionals (10), service users and community representatives (6) linked to a concrete participatory initiative. Participant observation in relevant meetings helped to enrich the interpretations. Thematic analysis was applied to interview transcripts and field notes. Findings The findings present a sequence of actions starting with the creation of a network of community‐based groups. A set of problems ensued, related to the group's diversity, internal representation, decision‐making and funding processes. In response, processionals implemented simultaneously bureaucratic and democratic adjustments, developing a vision of community that ignored the particularities—including the motivations—of local groups. Discussion and conclusion Based on these findings, we argue that participatory initiatives should be studied as on‐going achievements shaped by broad policy orientations and local configurations of interest. In the process, they produce ad hoc forms of knowledge and visions of community that provide orientation to the agents involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian R Montenegro
- School of Nursing, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Millennium Institute for Research in Depression and Personality (MIDAP), Santiago, Chile
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Mugisha J, Hanlon C, Knizek BL, Ssebunnya J, Vancampfort D, Kinyanda E, Kigozi F. The experience of mental health service users in health system strengthening: lessons from Uganda. Int J Ment Health Syst 2019; 13:60. [PMID: 31516548 PMCID: PMC6728966 DOI: 10.1186/s13033-019-0316-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mental, neurological and substance use disorders are a public health burden in Uganda. Mental health service user involvement could be an important strategy for advocacy and improving service delivery, particularly as Uganda redoubles its efforts to integrate mental health into primary health care (PHC). However, little is known on the most effective way to involve service users in mental health system strengthening. METHODS This was a qualitative key informant interview study. At national level, 4 interviews were conducted with national level health workers and 3 service user organization representatives. At the district level, 2 interviews were conducted with district level health workers and 5 service user organization representatives. Data were analyzed using content thematic analysis. FINDINGS Overall, there was low mental service user participation in health system strengthening at both national and district levels. Health system strengthening activities included policy development, implementation of programs and research. Informants mentioned several barriers to service user involvement in mental health system strengthening. These were grouped into three categories: institutional, community and individual level factors. Institutional level barriers included: limited funding to form, train and develop mental health service user groups, institutional stigma and patronage by founder members of user organizations. Community level barriers included: abject poverty and community stigma. Individual level barriers included: low levels of awareness and presence of self-stigma. Informants also recommended some strategies to enhance service user involvement. CONCLUSION The Uganda Ministry of Health should develop a strategy to improve service user participation in mental health system strengthening. This requires an appreciation of the importance of service users in improving service delivery. To address the barriers to service user involvement identified in this study requires concerted efforts by the Uganda Ministry of Health and the district health services, specifically with regard to attitudes of health workers, dealing with stigma at all levels, raising awareness about the rights of service users to participate in health systems strengthening activities, building capacity and financial empowerment of service user organizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Mugisha
- Kyambogo University, Kampala, Uganda
- Butabika National Referral and Teaching Mental Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
- PO. Box 2958, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Charlotte Hanlon
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Birthe Loa Knizek
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Joshua Ssebunnya
- Butabika National Referral and Teaching Mental Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Davy Vancampfort
- KU Leuven Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Leuven, Belgium
- University Psychiatric Centre KU Leuven, Kortenberg, Belgium
| | - Eugene Kinyanda
- MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Psychiatry, Makerere University, College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Fred Kigozi
- Butabika National Referral and Teaching Mental Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
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Breuer E, Hanlon C, Bhana A, Chisholm D, Silva MD, Fekadu A, Honikman S, Jordans M, Kathree T, Kigozi F, Luitel NP, Marx M, Medhin G, Murhar V, Ndyanabangi S, Patel V, Petersen I, Prince M, Raja S, Rathod SD, Shidhaye R, Ssebunnya J, Thornicroft G, Tomlinson M, Wolde-Giorgis T, Lund C. Partnerships in a Global Mental Health Research Programme-the Example of PRIME. GLOBAL SOCIAL WELFARE : RESEARCH, POLICY & PRACTICE 2019; 6:159-175. [PMID: 31984205 PMCID: PMC6980236 DOI: 10.1007/s40609-018-0128-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Collaborative research partnerships are necessary to answer key questions in global mental health, to share expertise, access funding and influence policy. However, partnerships between low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) and high-income countries have often been inequitable with the provision of technical knowledge flowing unilaterally from high to lower income countries. We present the experience of the Programme for Improving Mental Health Care (PRIME), a LMIC-led partnership which provides research evidence for the development, implementation and scaling up of integrated district mental healthcare plans in Ethiopia, India, Nepal, South Africa and Uganda. We use Tuckman's first four stages of forming, storming, norming and performing to reflect on the history, formation and challenges of the PRIME Consortium. We show how this resulted in successful partnerships in relation to management, research, research uptake and capacity building and reflect on the key lessons for future partnerships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Breuer
- Alan J. Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Charlotte Hanlon
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Arvin Bhana
- South African Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa
- Centre for Rural Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Dan Chisholm
- Regional Office for Europe, World Health Organisation, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Abebaw Fekadu
- CDT-Africa, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK
| | - Simone Honikman
- Perinatal Mental Health Project, Alan J Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mark Jordans
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Tasneem Kathree
- Centre for Rural Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Fred Kigozi
- School of Medicine, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Maggie Marx
- Alan J. Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Girmay Medhin
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | | | | | - Inge Petersen
- Centre for Rural Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Martin Prince
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, UK
| | | | - Sujit D. Rathod
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | | | - Graham Thornicroft
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Mark Tomlinson
- Alan J. Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | | | - Crick Lund
- Alan J. Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, UK
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Ayuso-Mateos JL, Miret M, Lopez-Garcia P, Alem A, Chisholm D, Gureje O, Hanlon C, Jordans M, Kigozi F, Lund C, Petersen I, Semrau M, Shidhaye R, Thornicroft G. Effective methods for knowledge transfer to strengthen mental health systems in low- and middle-income countries. BJPsych Open 2019; 5:e72. [PMID: 31530323 PMCID: PMC6688465 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2019.50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Emerald project's focus is on how to strengthen mental health systems in six low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) (Ethiopia, India, Nepal, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda). This was done by generating evidence and capacity to enhance health system performance in delivering mental healthcare.A common problem in scaling-up interventions and strengthening mental health programmes in LMICs is how to transfer research evidence, such as the data collected in the Emerald project, into practice. AIMS To describe how core elements of Emerald were implemented and aligned with the ultimate goal of strengthening mental health systems, as well as their short-term impact on practices, policies and programmes in the six partner countries. METHOD We focused on the involvement of policy planners, managers, patients and carers. RESULTS Over 5 years of collaboration, the Emerald consortium has provided evidence and tools for the improvement of mental healthcare in the six LMICs involved in the project. We found that the knowledge transfer efforts had an impact on mental health service delivery and policy planning at the sites and countries involved in the project. CONCLUSIONS This approach may be valid beyond the mental health context, and may be effective for any initiative that aims at implementing evidence-based health policies for health system strengthening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose L. Ayuso-Mateos
- Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; and Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa (IIS Princesa), Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Spain
| | - Maria Miret
- Journalist, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar Lopez-Garcia
- Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa (IIS Princesa); and Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Spain
| | - Atalay Alem
- Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
| | - Dan Chisholm
- Programme Manager for Mental Health, World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Oye Gureje
- Professor of Psychiatry and Director, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health, Neurosciences and Substance Abuse, Department of Psychiatry, University of Ibadan, Nigeria; and Professor Extraordinary, Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
| | - Charlotte Hanlon
- Reader, Centre for Global Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; and Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
| | - Mark Jordans
- Reader, Centre for Global Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - Fred Kigozi
- Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital, Uganda
| | - Crick Lund
- Professor of Public Mental Health, Alan J Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa; and Professor of Global Mental Health and Development, Centre for Global Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - Inge Petersen
- Research Director and Professor, Centre for Rural Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Maya Semrau
- Research Fellow, Global Health and Infection Department, Brighton and Sussex Medical School; and Centre for Global Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - Rahul Shidhaye
- Clinical Psychiatrist, Public Health Foundation of India; and CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, the Netherlands
| | - Graham Thornicroft
- Professor of Community Psychiatry, Centre for Global Mental Health and Centre for Implementation Science, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Psychiatry, King's College London, UK
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Semrau M, Alem A, Ayuso-Mateos JL, Chisholm D, Gureje O, Hanlon C, Jordans M, Kigozi F, Lund C, Petersen I, Shidhaye R, Thornicroft G. Strengthening mental health systems in low- and middle-income countries: recommendations from the Emerald programme. BJPsych Open 2019; 5:e73. [PMID: 31530325 PMCID: PMC6700480 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2018.90] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a large treatment gap for mental, neurological or substance use (MNS) disorders. The 'Emerging mental health systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)' (Emerald) research programme attempted to identify strategies to work towards reducing this gap through the strengthening of mental health systems. AIMS To provide a set of proposed recommendations for mental health system strengthening in LMICs. METHOD The Emerald programme was implemented in six LMICs in Africa and Asia (Ethiopia, India, Nepal, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda) over a 5-year period (2012-2017), and aimed to improve mental health outcomes in the six countries by building capacity and generating evidence to enhance health system strengthening. RESULTS The proposed recommendations align closely with the World Health Organization's key health system strengthening 'building blocks' of governance, financing, human resource development, service provision and information systems; knowledge transfer is included as an additional cross-cutting component. Specific recommendations are made in the paper for each of these building blocks based on the body of data that were collected and analysed during Emerald. CONCLUSIONS These recommendations are relevant not only to the six countries in which their evidential basis was generated, but to other LMICs as well; they may also be generalisable to other non-communicable diseases beyond MNS disorders. DECLARATION OF INTEREST None.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Semrau
- Research Fellow in Implementation Research, Centre for Global Health Research, Brighton and Sussex Medical School; and Centre for Global Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - Atalay Alem
- Professor, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
| | - Jose L. Ayuso-Mateos
- Chairman and Director, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; and Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa (IIS Princesa), Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Spain
| | - Dan Chisholm
- Programme Manager for Mental Health, Regional Office for Europe, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, World Health Organization, Switzerland
| | - Oye Gureje
- Professor of Psychiatry and Director, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health, Neurosciences and Substance Abuse, Department of Psychiatry, University of Ibadan, Nigeria; and Professor Extraordinary, Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
| | - Charlotte Hanlon
- Reader in Global Mental Health, Centre for Global Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK; and Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
| | - Mark Jordans
- Reader, Centre for Global Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - Fred Kigozi
- Senior Consultant Psychiatrist and Researcher, Butabika National Referral and Teaching Hospital, Uganda
| | - Crick Lund
- Professor of Public Mental Health, Alan J Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa; and Professor of Global Mental Health and Development, Centre for Global Mental Health, Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - Inge Petersen
- Research Professor and Director, Centre for Rural Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Rahul Shidhaye
- Clinical Psychiatrist, Public Health Foundation of India; and CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, the Netherlands
| | - Graham Thornicroft
- Professor of Community Psychiatry, Centre for Global Mental Health and Centre for Implementation Science, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Psychiatry, King's College London, UK
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Evans-Lacko S, Hanlon C, Alem A, Ayuso-Mateos JL, Chisholm D, Gureje O, Jordans M, Kigozi F, Lempp H, Lund C, Petersen I, Shidhaye R, Thornicroft G, Semrau M. Evaluation of capacity-building strategies for mental health system strengthening in low- and middle-income countries for service users and caregivers, policymakers and planners, and researchers. BJPsych Open 2019; 5:e67. [PMID: 31530318 PMCID: PMC6688464 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2019.14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Strengthening of mental health systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) requires the involvement of appropriately skilled and committed individuals from a range of stakeholder groups. Currently, few evidence-based capacity-building activities and materials are available to enable and sustain comprehensive improvements. AIMS Within the Emerald project, the goal of this study was to evaluate capacity-building activities for three target groups: (a) service users with mental health conditions and their caregivers; (b) policymakers and planners; and (c) mental health researchers. METHOD We developed and tailored three short courses (between 1 and 5 days long). We then implemented and evaluated these short courses on 24 different occasions. We assessed satisfaction among 527 course participants as well as pre-post changes in knowledge in six LMICs (Ethiopia, India, Nepal, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda). Changes in research capacity of partner Emerald institutions was also assessed through monitoring of academic outputs of participating researchers and students and via anonymous surveys. RESULTS Short courses were associated with high levels of satisfaction and led to improvements in knowledge across target groups. In relation to institutional capacity building, all partner institutions reported improvements in research capacity for most aspects of mental health system strengthening and global mental health, and many of these positive changes were attributed to the Emerald programme. In terms of outputs, eight PhD students submitted a total of 10 papers relating to their PhD work (range 0-4) and were involved in 14 grant applications, of which 43% (n = 6) were successful. CONCLUSIONS The Emerald project has shown that building capacity of key stakeholders in mental health system strengthening is possible. However, the starting point and appropriate strategies for this may vary across different countries, depending on the local context, needs and resources. DECLARATION OF INTEREST S.E.L. received consulting fees from Lundbeck.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Evans-Lacko
- Associate Professorial Research Fellow, Personal Social Services Research Unit, London School of Economics and Political Science; and Centre for Global Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - Charlotte Hanlon
- Reader in Global Mental Health, Centre for Global Mental Health, Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neurosciences, King's College London, UK; Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University; and Complex Interventions Lead, Centre for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT-Africa), College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
| | - Atalay Alem
- Professor, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
| | - Jose Luis Ayuso-Mateos
- Chairman and Director, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; and Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa (IIS Princesa), Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Spain
| | - Dan Chisholm
- Programme Manager for Mental Health, Regional Office for Europe, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, World Health Organization, Switzerland
| | - Oye Gureje
- Professor of Psychiatry and Director, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health, Neurosciences and Substance Abuse, Department of Psychiatry, University of Ibadan, Nigeria; and Professor Extraordinary, Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
| | - Mark Jordans
- Reader, Centre for Global Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - Fred Kigozi
- Senior Consultant Psychiatrist/ Researcher, Butabika National Referral Hospital, Uganda
| | - Heidi Lempp
- Reader in Medical Sociology, Centre for Rheumatic Diseases, Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, UK
| | - Crick Lund
- Professor of Public Mental Health, Alan J Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa; and Professor of Global Mental Health and Development, Centre for Global Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - Inge Petersen
- Research Professor and Director, Centre for Rural Health, School of Public Health and Nursing, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Rahul Shidhaye
- Clinical Psychiatrist, Public Health Foundation of India and CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, the Netherlands
| | - Graham Thornicroft
- Professor of Community Psychiatry, Centre for Global Mental Health and Centre for Implementation Science, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - Maya Semrau
- Research Fellow, Global Health and Infection Department, Brighton & Sussex Medical School; and Centre for Global Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
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Hanlon C, Alem A, Lund C, Hailemariam D, Assefa E, Giorgis TW, Chisholm D. Moving towards universal health coverage for mental disorders in Ethiopia. Int J Ment Health Syst 2019; 13:11. [PMID: 30891082 PMCID: PMC6388484 DOI: 10.1186/s13033-019-0268-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND People with mental disorders in low-income countries are at risk of being left behind during efforts to expand universal health coverage. AIMS To propose context-relevant strategies for moving towards universal health coverage for people with mental disorders in Ethiopia. METHODS We conducted a situational analysis to inform a SWOT analysis of coverage of mental health services and financial risk protection, health system characteristics and the macroeconomic and fiscal environment. In-depth interviews were conducted with five national experts on health financing and equity and analysed using a thematic approach. Findings from the situation analysis and qualitative study were used to develop recommended strategies for adequate, fair and sustainable financing of mental health care in Ethiopia. RESULTS Opportunities for improved financing of mental health care identified from the situation analysis included: a significant mental health burden with evidence from strong local epidemiological data; political commitment to address that burden; a health system with mechanisms for integrating mental health into primary care; and a favourable macro-fiscal environment for investment in human capabilities. Balanced against this were constraints of low current general government health expenditure, low numbers of mental health specialists, weak capacity to plan and implement mental health programmes and low population demand for mental health care. All key informants referred to the under-investment in mental health care in Ethiopia. Respondents emphasised opportunities afforded by positive rates of economic growth in the country and the expansion of community-based health insurance, as well as the need to ensure full implementation of existing task-sharing programmes for mental health care, integrate mental health into other priority programmes and strengthen advocacy to ensure mental health is given due attention. CONCLUSION Expansion of public health insurance, leveraging resources from high-priority SDG-related programmes and implementing existing plans to support task-shared mental health care are key steps towards universal health coverage for mental disorders in Ethiopia. However, external donors also need to deliver on commitments to include mental health within development funding. Future researchers and planners can apply this approach to other countries of sub-Saharan Africa and identify common strategies for sustainable and equitable financing of mental health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Hanlon
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Atalay Alem
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Crick Lund
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
- Alan J Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Damen Hailemariam
- School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Esubalew Assefa
- Department of Economics, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - Tedla W. Giorgis
- Office of the Minister, Federal Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Dan Chisholm
- Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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Thornicroft G, Ahuja S, Barber S, Chisholm D, Collins PY, Docrat S, Fairall L, Lempp H, Niaz U, Ngo V, Patel V, Petersen I, Prince M, Semrau M, Unützer J, Yueqin H, Zhang S. Integrated care for people with long-term mental and physical health conditions in low-income and middle-income countries. Lancet Psychiatry 2019; 6:174-186. [PMID: 30449711 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(18)30298-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Revised: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Integrated care is defined as health services that are managed and delivered such that people receive a continuum of health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment, disease management, rehabilitation, and palliative care services, coordinated across the different levels and sites of care within and beyond the health sector and, according to their needs, throughout the life course. In this Review, we describe the most relevant concepts and models of integrated care for people with chronic (or recurring) mental illness and comorbid physical health conditions, provide a conceptual overview and a narrative review of the strength of the evidence base for these models in high-income countries and in low-income and middle-income countries, and identify opportunities to test the feasibility and effects of such integrated care models. We discuss the rationale for integrating care for people with mental disorders into chronic care; the models of integrated care; the evidence of the effects of integrating care in high-income countries and in low-income and middle-income countries; the key organisational challenges to implementing integrated chronic care in low-income and middle-income countries; and the practical steps to realising a vision of integrated care in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham Thornicroft
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
| | - Shalini Ahuja
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Public Health Foundation of India, New Delhi, India
| | - Sarah Barber
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Daniel Chisholm
- Division for Non-Communicable Diseases and Promoting Health through the Life-Course, WHO Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Pamela Y Collins
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sumaiyah Docrat
- Alan J Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Lara Fairall
- Knowledge Translation Unit, University of Cape Town Lung Institute, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Heidi Lempp
- School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Unaiza Niaz
- University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan; Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Vicky Ngo
- RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - Vikram Patel
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, USA; London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Sangath, Porvorim, Goa, India; Centre for Chronic Conditions and Injuries, Public Health Foundation of India, New Delhi, India
| | - Inge Petersen
- Centre for Rural Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Martin Prince
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Maya Semrau
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Global Health and Infection Department, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK
| | - Jürgen Unützer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Huang Yueqin
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Centre for Mental Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Shuo Zhang
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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Souraya S, Hanlon C, Asher L. Involvement of people with schizophrenia in decision-making in rural Ethiopia: a qualitative study. Global Health 2018; 14:85. [PMID: 30134989 PMCID: PMC6103856 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-018-0403-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The involvement of people with psychosocial disabilities in decision-making is a fundamental component of a person-centred and recovery-oriented model of care, but there has been little investigation of this approach in low- and middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to explore the involvement of people with schizophrenia in decision-making relating to their care in rural Ethiopia. METHODS A qualitative study was conducted in rural Ethiopia as part of the Rehabilitation Intervention for people with Schizophrenia in Ethiopia (RISE) project, involving two focus group discussions (n = 10) with community-based rehabilitation workers, and 18 in-depth interviews with people with schizophrenia, caregivers, health officers, supervisors and a community-based rehabilitation worker. Thematic analysis was used to examine major themes related to involvement in decision-making in this specific setting. RESULTS Involvement of people with schizophrenia in decision-making in this rural Ethiopian setting was limited and coercive practices were evident. People with schizophrenia tended to be consulted about their care only when they were considered clinically 'recovered'. Caregivers typically had a prominent role in decision-making, but they also acquiesced to the views of health care professionals. People with schizophrenia and caregivers were often unable to execute their desired choice due to inaccessible and unaffordable treatment. CONCLUSIONS Community-based rehabilitation, as a model of care, may give opportunities for involvement of people with schizophrenia in decision-making. In order to increase involvement of people with schizophrenia in rural Ethiopia there needs to be greater empowerment of service users, wider availability of treatment choices and a facilitating policy environment. Further studies are needed to explore concepts of person-centred care and recovery across cultural settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally Souraya
- Department of Population Health, Centre for Global Mental Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK. .,Health Services and Population Research Department, Centre for Global Mental Health, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK.
| | - Charlotte Hanlon
- Health Services and Population Research Department, Centre for Global Mental Health, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK.,Department of Psychiatry, Addis Ababa University, College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Laura Asher
- Department of Population Health, Centre for Global Mental Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,Division of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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Tora A, Mengiste A, Davey G, Semrau M. Community Involvement in the Care of Persons Affected by Podoconiosis-A Lesson for Other Skin NTDs. Trop Med Infect Dis 2018; 3:E87. [PMID: 30274483 PMCID: PMC6161108 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed3030087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Podoconiosis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) characterized by lower-leg swelling (lymphedema), which is caused by long-term exposure to irritant red-clay soils found within tropical volcanic high-altitude environments with heavy rainfall. The condition places a substantial burden on affected people, their families and communities, including disability, economic consequences, social exclusion, and stigma; mental disorders and distress are also common. This paper focuses on community-based care of podoconiosis, and, in particular, the role that community involvement can have in the reduction of stigma against people affected by podoconiosis. We first draw on research conducted in Ethiopia for this, which has included community-based provision of care and treatment, education, and awareness-raising, and socioeconomic rehabilitation to reduce stigma. Since people affected by podoconiosis and other skin NTDs often suffer the double burden of mental-health illness, which is similarly stigmatized, we then point to examples from the mental-health field in low-resource community settings to suggest avenues for stigma reduction and increased patient engagement that may be relevant across a range of skin NTDs, though further research is needed on this.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abebayehu Tora
- Department of Sociology, Wolaita Sodo University, Sodo, Ethiopia.
| | - Asrat Mengiste
- National Podoconiosis Action Network, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
| | - Gail Davey
- Department of Global Health and Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer Campus, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9PX, UK.
| | - Maya Semrau
- Department of Global Health and Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer Campus, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9PX, UK.
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Abayneh S, Lempp H, Manthorpe J, Hanlon C. Development of programme theory for integration of service user and caregiver involvement in mental health system strengthening: protocol for realist systematic review. Int J Ment Health Syst 2018; 12:41. [PMID: 30061922 PMCID: PMC6057009 DOI: 10.1186/s13033-018-0220-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is international recognition of the need for service user and caregiver involvement in mental health system strengthening. However, little is known about how best to integrate this approach into the mental healthcare system; what works to advance involvement, under what conditions, how and when does involvement bring added value, and how can it work in resource-poor settings in low and middle-income countries. Objective To describe the methodology for a realist systematic review protocol to synthesise the evidence to explain the contexts, outcomes, and underlying mechanisms for involvement of service users with severe mental health problems and their caregivers in mental healthcare policy-making and planning, advocacy, service development, monitoring and improvement. Methods/designs The proposed realist systematic review will involve five steps: (i) clarifying the review scope, (ii) a systematic search for evidence, (iii) evidence appraisal and data extraction, (iv) data analysis, (v) synthesis of evidence and formation of revised programme theory. Inputs from a formative qualitative study, consultative Theory of Change meetings with key stakeholder groups, and scoping reviews will be used to identify candidate theory/theories that will guide the selection, appraisal and analysis of studies, and refine the Theory of Change model that will be piloted and evaluated. Synthesis of data will be undertaken using realist logic, constant comparison and thematic analysis. In a consultative meeting with stakeholders the Theory of Change model will then be situated with respect to relevant programme theories and adapted to incorporate the synthesized evidence of relevance to the local context. The finalized Theory of Change model will be piloted and evaluated in a primary health care setting in rural Ethiopia. Discussion Realist review methodology has not been applied to the area of mental health service user involvement in low- and middle-income country settings. In this protocol, we describe how this contextualized approach will be applied to identify and refine a theory-driven and transferable model of involvement of service users, embedded in ongoing work in Ethiopia.Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42018084595.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sisay Abayneh
- 1Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Heidi Lempp
- 2Department of Inflammation Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, Weston Education Centre, 10, Cutcombe Road, London, SE5 9RJ UK
| | - Jill Manthorpe
- 3Health &Social Care Workforce Research Unit, King's College London, Strand, London, WC2 4LL UK
| | - Charlotte Hanlon
- 1Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.,4Centre for Global Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neurosciencem, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF UK
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Kohrt BA, Asher L, Bhardwaj A, Fazel M, Jordans MJD, Mutamba BB, Nadkarni A, Pedersen GA, Singla DR, Patel V. The Role of Communities in Mental Health Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Meta-Review of Components and Competencies. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:E1279. [PMID: 29914185 PMCID: PMC6025474 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15061279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Revised: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Community-based mental health services are emphasized in the World Health Organization’s Mental Health Action Plan, the World Bank’s Disease Control Priorities, and the Action Plan of the World Psychiatric Association. There is increasing evidence for effectiveness of mental health interventions delivered by non-specialists in community platforms in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). However, the role of community components has yet to be summarized. Our objective was to map community interventions in LMIC, identify competencies for community-based providers, and highlight research gaps. Using a review-of-reviews strategy, we identified 23 reviews for the narrative synthesis. Motivations to employ community components included greater accessibility and acceptability compared to healthcare facilities, greater clinical effectiveness through ongoing contact and use of trusted local providers, family involvement, and economic benefits. Locations included homes, schools, and refugee camps, as well as technology-aided delivery. Activities included awareness raising, psychoeducation, skills training, rehabilitation, and psychological treatments. There was substantial variation in the degree to which community components were integrated with primary care services. Addressing gaps in current practice will require assuring collaboration with service users, utilizing implementation science methods, creating tools to facilitate community services and evaluate competencies of providers, and developing standardized reporting for community-based programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon A Kohrt
- Division of Global Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
| | - Laura Asher
- Division of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
| | - Anvita Bhardwaj
- Division of Global Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
| | - Mina Fazel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Lane, OX1 2JD, UK.
| | - Mark J D Jordans
- Center for Global Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK.
- War Child, Research and Development, 1098 LE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Byamah B Mutamba
- Butabika National Mental Hospital, 2 Kirombe-Butabika Road, P.O. Box 7017 Kampala, Uganda.
- YouBelong, P.O. Box 36510 Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Abhijit Nadkarni
- Center for Global Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK.
- Sangath, Socorro, Porvorim, Goa 403501, India.
| | - Gloria A Pedersen
- Division of Global Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
| | - Daisy R Singla
- Department of Psychiatry, Sinai Health System & University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada.
| | - Vikram Patel
- Sangath, Socorro, Porvorim, Goa 403501, India.
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
- Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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Rai S, Gurung D, Kaiser BN, Sikkema KJ, Dhakal M, Bhardwaj A, Tergesen C, Kohrt BA. A service user co-facilitated intervention to reduce mental illness stigma among primary healthcare workers: Utilizing perspectives of family members and caregivers. FAMILIES, SYSTEMS & HEALTH : THE JOURNAL OF COLLABORATIVE FAMILY HEALTHCARE 2018; 36:198-209. [PMID: 29902036 PMCID: PMC6005191 DOI: 10.1037/fsh0000338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Service users' involvement as cofacilitators of mental health trainings is a nascent endeavor in low- and middle-income countries, and the role of families on service user participation in trainings has received limited attention. This study examined how caregivers perceive and facilitate service user's involvement in an antistigma program that was added to mental health Gap Action Program (mhGAP) trainings for primary care workers in Nepal. METHOD Service users were trained as cofacilitators for antistigma and mhGAP trainings delivered to primary care workers through the REducing Stigma among HealthcAre ProvidErs (RESHAPE) program. Key informant interviews (n = 17) were conducted with caregivers and service users in RESHAPE. RESULTS Five themes emerged: (a) Caregivers' perceived benefits of service user involvement included reduced caregiver burden, learning new skills, and opportunities to develop support groups. (b) Caregivers' fear of worsening stigma impeded RESHAPE participation. (c) Lack of trust between caregivers and service users jeopardized participation, but it could be mitigated through family engagement with health workers. (d) Orientation provided to caregivers regarding RESHAPE needed greater attention, and when information was provided, it contributed to stigma reduction in families. (e) Time management impacted caregivers' ability to facilitate service user participation. DISCUSSION Engagement with families allows for greater identification of motivational factors and barriers impacting optimal program performance. Caregiver involvement in all program elements should be considered best practice for service user-facilitated antistigma initiatives, and service users reluctant to include caregivers should be provided with health staff support to address barriers to including family. (PsycINFO Database Record
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Affiliation(s)
- Sauharda Rai
- Department of Psychiatry, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA. Transcultural Psychosocial Organization Nepal, Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Dristy Gurung
- Transcultural Psychosocial Organization Nepal, Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | | | | | - Manoj Dhakal
- Transcultural Psychosocial Organization Nepal, Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Anvita Bhardwaj
- Department of Psychiatry, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Brandon A. Kohrt
- Corresponding Author: Brandon A. Kohrt, Department of Psychiatry, George Washington University, 2120 L St. NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC, 20037, USA,
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Evaluating capacity-building for mental health system strengthening in low- and middle-income countries for service users and caregivers, service planners and researchers. Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci 2018; 27:3-10. [PMID: 28854998 PMCID: PMC6998880 DOI: 10.1017/s2045796017000440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Efforts to support the scale-up of integrated mental health care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) need to focus on building human resource capacity in health system strengthening, as well as in the direct provision of mental health care. In a companion editorial, we describe a range of capacity-building activities that are being implemented by a multi-country research consortium (Emerald: Emerging mental health systems in low- and middle-income countries) for (1) service users and caregivers, (2) service planners and policy-makers and (3) researchers in six LMICs (Ethiopia, India, Nepal, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda). In this paper, we focus on the methodology being used to evaluate the impact of capacity-building in these three target groups. We first review the evidence base for approaches to evaluation of capacity-building, highlighting the gaps in this area. We then describe the adaptation of best practice for the Emerald capacity-building evaluation. The resulting mixed method evaluation framework was tailored to each target group and to each country context. We identified a need to expand the evidence base on indicators of successful capacity-building across the different target groups. To address this, we developed an evaluation plan to measure the adequacy and usefulness of quantitative capacity-building indicators when compared with qualitative evaluation. We argue that evaluation needs to be an integral part of capacity-building activities and that expertise needs to be built in methods of evaluation. The Emerald evaluation provides a potential model for capacity-building evaluation across key stakeholder groups and promises to extend understanding of useful indicators of success.
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Thornicroft G, Semrau M. Mental health capacity building in low and middle income countries: the Emerald Programme. Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci 2018; 27:1-2. [PMID: 29322940 PMCID: PMC6999037 DOI: 10.1017/s2045796017000592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- G. Thornicroft
- Centre for Global Mental Health, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, de Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - M. Semrau
- Centre for Global Mental Health, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, de Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK
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Service user and caregiver involvement in mental health system strengthening in low- and middle-income countries: a cross-country qualitative study. Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci 2018; 27:29-39. [PMID: 29113598 PMCID: PMC6998885 DOI: 10.1017/s2045796017000634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS The aims of this paper are to: (i) explore the experiences of involvement of mental health service users, their caregivers, mental health centre heads and policy makers in mental health system strengthening in three low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) (Ethiopia, Nepal and Nigeria); (ii) analyse the potential benefits and barriers of such involvement; and (iii) identify strategies required to achieve greater service user and caregiver participation. METHODS A cross-country qualitative study was conducted, interviewing 83 stakeholders of mental health services. RESULTS Our analysis showed that service user and caregiver involvement in the health system strengthening process was an alien concept for most participants. They reported very limited access to direct participation. Stigma and poverty were described as the main barriers for involvement. Several strategies were identified by participants to overcome existing hurdles to facilitate service user and caregiver involvement in the mental health system strengthening process, such as support to access treatment, mental health promotion and empowerment of service users. This study suggests that capacity building for service users, and strengthening of user groups would equip them to contribute meaningfully to policy development from informed perspectives. CONCLUSION Involvement of service users and their caregivers in mental health decision-making is still in its infancy in LMICs. Effective strategies are required to overcome existing barriers, for example making funding more widely available for Ph.D. studies in participatory research with service users and caregivers to develop, implement and evaluate approaches to involvement that are locally and culturally acceptable in LMICs.
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Hanlon C, Eshetu T, Alemayehu D, Fekadu A, Semrau M, Thornicroft G, Kigozi F, Marais DL, Petersen I, Alem A. Health system governance to support scale up of mental health care in Ethiopia: a qualitative study. Int J Ment Health Syst 2017; 11:38. [PMID: 28603550 PMCID: PMC5465569 DOI: 10.1186/s13033-017-0144-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ethiopia is embarking upon a ground-breaking plan to address the high levels of unmet need for mental health care by scaling up mental health care integrated within primary care. Health system governance is expected to impact critically upon the success or otherwise of this important initiative. The objective of the study was to explore the barriers, facilitators and potential strategies to promote good health system governance in relation to scale-up of mental health care in Ethiopia. Methods A qualitative study was conducted using in-depth interviews. Key informants were selected purposively from national and regional level policy-makers, planners and service developers (n = 7) and district health office administrators and facility heads (n = 10) from a district in southern Ethiopia where a demonstration project to integrate mental health into primary care is underway. Topic guide development and analysis of transcripts were guided by an established framework for assessing health system governance, adapted for the Ethiopian context. Results From the perspective of respondents, particular strengths of health system governance in Ethiopia included the presence of high level government support, the existence of a National Mental Health Strategy and the focus on integration of mental health care into primary care to improve the responsiveness of the health system. However, both national and district level respondents expressed concerns about low baseline awareness about mental health care planning, the presence of stigmatising attitudes, the level of transparency about planning decisions, limited leadership for mental health, lack of co-ordination of mental health planning, unreliable supplies of medication, inadequate health management information system indicators for monitoring implementation, unsustainable models for specialist mental health professional involvement in supervision and mentoring of primary care staff, lack of community mobilisation for mental health and low levels of empowerment and knowledge undermining meaningful involvement of stakeholders in local mental health care planning. Conclusions To support scale-up of mental health care in Ethiopia, there is a critical need to strengthen leadership and co-ordination at the national, regional, zonal and district levels, expand indicators for routine monitoring of mental healthcare, promote service user involvement and address widespread stigma and low mental health awareness. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13033-017-0144-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Hanlon
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.,Centre for Global Mental Health, Health Services and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Tigist Eshetu
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Daniel Alemayehu
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Abebaw Fekadu
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.,Department of Psychological Medicine, Centre for Affective Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Maya Semrau
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Health Services and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Graham Thornicroft
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Health Services and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Fred Kigozi
- Butabika National Referral and Teaching Hospital, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Debra Leigh Marais
- Research Development & Support Division, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Inge Petersen
- School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.,School of Applied Social Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Atalay Alem
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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