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Badar A. Serotonin syndrome: An often-neglected medical emergency. J Family Community Med 2024; 31:1-8. [PMID: 38406216 PMCID: PMC10883429 DOI: 10.4103/jfcm.jfcm_236_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Optimum serotonin level in the serotonergic synapses of the central nervous system (CNS) is related to mood, behavior, and sleep. Serotonin syndrome (SS) is a rare yet very dangerous adverse effect resulting from increased serotonin in CNS. The diagnosis of SS is based on the presence of clinical symptoms, which can include agitation, confusion, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, dilated pupils, muscle rigidity, tremors, sweating, and diarrhea. SS is invariably caused by inadvertent use of serotonergic medicines. There is an ever-growing list of medicines that are associated with the risk of SS. Some of the common classes of drugs that can contribute to the development of SS include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, stimulants (e.g., amphetamines and cocaine), lithium, opioids, drugs used for recreational purposes like ecstasy Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), and some herbal supplements (e.g., St. John's Wort). SS can occur when these medications are taken alone or in combination, especially when a new medication is added, or the dose of an existing medication is changed. The management of SS typically involves discontinuing the use of the substance that caused the excess serotonin levels and providing supportive care, such as intravenous fluids and electrolytes. In severe cases, benzodiazepines may be used to control agitation and muscle rigidity, while serotonin antagonists, such as cyproheptadine, may be used to reduce serotonin levels. The literature review points to a general unawareness among physicians about the condition or drugs associated with it. Consequently, this potentially fatal condition is overlooked. There is a need for regular information updates and reminders to all those who prescribe medications to the patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Badar
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
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Valkovskaya M, Hassan A, Zartaloudi E, Hussain F, Umar M, Khizar B, Khattak I, Gill SA, Khan SUDA, Dogar IA, Mustafa AB, Ansari MA, Qalb I Hyder S, Ali M, Ilyas N, Channar P, Mughal N, Channa S, Mufti K, Mufti AA, Hussain MI, Shafiq S, Tariq M, Khan MK, Chaudhry ST, Choudhary AR, Ali MN, Ali G, Hussain A, Rehman M, Ahmad N, Farooq S, Naeem F, Nasr T, Lewis G, Knowles JA, Ayub M, Kuchenbaecker K. Study protocol of DIVERGE, the first genetic epidemiological study of major depressive disorder in Pakistan. Psychiatr Genet 2023; 33:69-78. [PMID: 36538573 PMCID: PMC9997631 DOI: 10.1097/ypg.0000000000000333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Globally, 80% of the burdenof major depressive disorder (MDD) pertains to low- and middle-income countries. Research into genetic and environmental risk factors has the potential to uncover disease mechanisms that may contribute to better diagnosis and treatment of mental illness, yet has so far been largely limited to participants with European ancestry from high-income countries. The DIVERGE study was established to help overcome this gap and investigate genetic and environmental risk factors for MDD in Pakistan. METHODS DIVERGE aims to enrol 9000 cases and 4000 controls in hospitals across the country. Here, we provide the rationale for DIVERGE, describe the study protocol and characterise the sample using data from the first 500 cases. Exploratory data analysis is performed to describe demographics, socioeconomic status, environmental risk factors, family history of mental illness and psychopathology. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Many participants had severe depression with 74% of patients who experienced multiple depressive episodes. It was a common practice to seek help for mental health struggles from faith healers and religious leaders. Socioeconomic variables reflected the local context with a large proportion of women not having access to any education and the majority of participants reporting no savings. CONCLUSION DIVERGE is a carefully designed case-control study of MDD in Pakistan that captures diverse risk factors. As the largest genetic study in Pakistan, DIVERGE helps address the severe underrepresentation of people from South Asian countries in genetic as well as psychiatric research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arsalan Hassan
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Eirini Zartaloudi
- Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Fahad Hussain
- Lahore Institute of Research and Development, Lahore
| | - Muhammad Umar
- Lahore Institute of Research and Development, Lahore
| | - Bakht Khizar
- Lahore Institute of Research and Development, Lahore
| | | | | | | | | | - Ali Burhan Mustafa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Sheikh Zayed Medical College/Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan
| | - Moin Ahmed Ansari
- Sir Cowasjee Jehangir Institute of Psychiatric and Behavioral Sciences, Hyderabad
| | - Syed Qalb I Hyder
- Sir Cowasjee Jehangir Institute of Psychiatric and Behavioral Sciences, Hyderabad
| | - Muhammad Ali
- Sir Cowasjee Jehangir Institute of Psychiatric and Behavioral Sciences, Hyderabad
| | - Nilofar Ilyas
- Sir Cowasjee Jehangir Institute of Psychiatric and Behavioral Sciences, Hyderabad
| | - Parveen Channar
- Sir Cowasjee Jehangir Institute of Psychiatric and Behavioral Sciences, Hyderabad
| | - Nazish Mughal
- Sir Cowasjee Jehangir Institute of Psychiatric and Behavioral Sciences, Hyderabad
| | - Sumera Channa
- Sir Cowasjee Jehangir Institute of Psychiatric and Behavioral Sciences, Hyderabad
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Gohar Ali
- Department of Psychiatry, Saidu Teaching Hospital
| | | | | | - Noman Ahmad
- Punjab Institute of Mental Health (PIMH), Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Saeed Farooq
- School of Medicine, Keele University, Keele
- Innovation Department, Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Staffotdshire, UK
| | - Farooq Naeem
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
- Center for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tanveer Nasr
- Lahore Institute of Research and Development, Lahore
| | - Glyn Lewis
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - James A. Knowles
- Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey (HGINJ), Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Muhammad Ayub
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Karoline Kuchenbaecker
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
- UCL Genetics Institute, University College London, London, UK
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Munawar K, Abdul Khaiyom JH, Bokharey IZ, Park MSA, Choudhry FR. A systematic review of mental health literacy in Pakistan. Asia Pac Psychiatry 2020; 12:e12408. [PMID: 32803860 DOI: 10.1111/appy.12408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Individual mental health has become a primary global concern. In Pakistan, the prevalence of mental health issues is still unclear, as not many studies have assessed the level of mental health literacy (MHL) in the country. This systematic review aims to bridge this gap by encouraging the early detection of mental disorders, lessening stigma, and improving help-seeking behavior. Nine electronic databases were searched to identify empirical literature in this area. Only studies that evaluated MHL efficacy and those published in English were selected. Non-peer reviewed articles and gray literature were excluded. From 613 studies retrieved, 59 studies met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Forty-three of the included studies mentioned mental health outcome measures (of which only four mentioned reliability indices), 13 discussed stigma, 18 examined help-seeking approaches to mental illness treatments, and 47 discussed mental health knowledge. Additionally, the outcome of the MHL measures had considerable heterogeneity and limited validity. Meta-analysis was not conducted due to a lack of MHL operationalization. Besides, the measurement tools in the studies lacked consistency and standardization. This review compiled the available studies on MHL to assist researchers currently studying the various dimensions of MHL, as well as those designing new studies or investigating effective methods to increase MHL. This review highlights the need for well-designed controlled intervention studies. Further implications for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers are mentioned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khadeeja Munawar
- Department of Psychology, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Jamilah Hanum Abdul Khaiyom
- Department of Psychology, Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Iram Zehra Bokharey
- Department of Psychiatry, Mayo Hospital, Neela Gumbad Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Miriam Sang-Ah Park
- Department of Psychology, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.,Department of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Fahad Riaz Choudhry
- Department of Psychology, Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Khan TA, Hussain S, Ikram A, Mahmood S, Riaz H, Jamil A, Amin A, Haider YG, Sandhu M, Mushtaq A, Barbui C, Johnson CF, Godman B. Prevalence and treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders among tertiary hospitals in Pakistan; findings and implications. Hosp Pract (1995) 2020; 48:145-160. [PMID: 32343632 DOI: 10.1080/21548331.2020.1762366] [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] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mental health and neurological disorders are prevalent in Pakistan. However, there are considerable concerns with their management due to issues of access, availability of trained personnel and stigma alongside paucity of such data. Consequently, there is a need to document current treatment approaches starting with tertiary hospitals in Pakistan where patients with more severe mental and neurological disorders are typically treated. Subsequently, use the findings to help direct future policies and initiatives. METHODS Multi-centered, cross-sectional, prospective study principally evaluating current medicine usage among patients attending tertiary hospitals in Pakistan with psychiatric and neurological disorders. In addition, possible factors contributing to the prevalence of these disorders in this population to help with future care. All 23 tertiary care hospitals in the ten major Districts in Pakistan were included, which cover 75% of the population. RESULTS 57,664 patients were evaluated of which 35.3% were females. Both females and males had multiple brain disorders and multiple co-morbidities. Schizophrenia was the most prevalent disorder overall among both females (25.2%) and males (30.4%). A median of six medicines were prescribed per patient, with antipsychotics and antidepressants the most prescribed medicines. Clozapine was the most prescribed medicine in males (12.25%) and females (11.83%) including for psychiatric disorders, with sodium valproate the most prescribed medicine in epilepsy in males (42.44% of all anti-epileptic medicines) as well as females (46.38%). There was a greater prevalence of both disorders among the lower classes. A greater prevalence of schizophrenia was seen in patients abusing alcohol and smokers. The divorce rate was higher among the studied patients and the prevalence of depression was higher among the widowed population. CONCLUSIONS There were concerns with the quality of prescribing including the extent of polypharmacy as well as possible overuse of clozapine especially in patients with epilepsy, both of which need addressing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanveer Ahmed Khan
- Drugs Control and Traditional Medicines Division, National Institute of Health , Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Shahzad Hussain
- Drugs Control and Traditional Medicines Division, National Institute of Health , Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Aamer Ikram
- Drugs Control and Traditional Medicines Division, National Institute of Health , Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Sidra Mahmood
- Department of Pharmacy, Quaid-e-Azam University , Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Humayun Riaz
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Rashid Latif College of Pharmacy , Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Ayesha Jamil
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Hajvery University , Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Amina Amin
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Hajvery University , Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | - Marva Sandhu
- Drugs Control and Traditional Medicines Division, National Institute of Health , Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Atifa Mushtaq
- Drugs Control and Traditional Medicines Division, National Institute of Health , Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Corrado Barbui
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona , Verona, Italy
| | - Chris F Johnson
- Pharmacy Services, National Health Service Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHS GGC) , Glasgow, UK
| | - Brian Godman
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge , Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Pharmacoepidemiolgy, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Strathclyde University , Glasgow, UK.,Health Economics Centre, Liverpool University , Liverpool, UK.,Division of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University , Pretoria, South Africa
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Godman B, Grobler C, Van-De-Lisle M, Wale J, Barbosa WB, Massele A, Opondo P, Petrova G, Tachkov K, Sefah I, Abdulsalim S, Alrasheedy AA, Unnikrishnan MK, Garuoliene K, Bamitale K, Kibuule D, Kalemeera F, Fadare J, Khan TA, Hussain S, Bochenek T, Kalungia AC, Mwanza J, Martin AP, Hill R, Barbui C. Pharmacotherapeutic interventions for bipolar disorder type II: addressing multiple symptoms and approaches with a particular emphasis on strategies in lower and middle-income countries. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2020; 20:2237-2255. [PMID: 31762343 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2019.1684473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Appropriately managing mental disorders is a growing priority across countries in view of the impact on morbidity and mortality. This includes patients with bipolar disorders (BD). Management of BD is a concern as this is a complex disease with often misdiagnosis, which is a major issue in lower and middle-income countries (LMICs) with typically a limited number of trained personnel and resources. This needs to be addressed.Areas covered: Medicines are the cornerstone of managing patients with Bipolar II across countries including LMICs. The choice of medicines, especially antipsychotics, is important in LMICs with high rates of diabetes and HIV. However, care is currently compromised in LMICs by issues such as the stigma, cultural beliefs, a limited number of trained professionals and high patient co-payments.Expert opinion: Encouragingly, some LMICs have introduced guidelines for patients with BD; however, this is very variable. Strategies for the future include addressing the lack of national guidelines for patients with BD, improving resources for mental disorders including personnel, improving medicine availability and patients' rights, and monitoring prescribing against agreed guidelines. A number of strategies have been identified to improve the treatment of patients with Bipolar II in LMICs, and will be followed up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Godman
- Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedicial Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.,Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Karolinska, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Garankuwa, South Africa.,Health Economics Centre, University of Liverpool Management School, Liverpool, UK
| | - Christoffel Grobler
- Elizabeth Donkin Hospital, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.,Walter Sisulu University, East London, South Africa.,Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | | | - Janney Wale
- Independent consumer advocate, Brunswick, Australia
| | - Wallace Breno Barbosa
- Department of Social Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Amos Massele
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Philip Opondo
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Guenka Petrova
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Social Pharmacy and Pharmacoeconomics, Medical University of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Konstantin Tachkov
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Social Pharmacy and Pharmacoeconomics, Medical University of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Israel Sefah
- Department of Pharmacy, Keta Municipal Hospital, Ghana Health Service, Keta, Ghana
| | - Suhaj Abdulsalim
- Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Buraidah Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - Kristina Garuoliene
- Department of Pathology, Forensic Medicine and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Lithuania and Ministry of Health, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Kayode Bamitale
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Dan Kibuule
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Francis Kalemeera
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Joseph Fadare
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
| | | | | | - Tomasz Bochenek
- Department of Drug Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | | | - James Mwanza
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Antony P Martin
- Health Economics Centre, University of Liverpool Management School, Liverpool, UK.,HCD Economics, The Innovation Centre, Daresbury, UK
| | - Ruaraidh Hill
- Liverpool Reviews and Implementation Group, Whelan Building, Liverpool University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Corrado Barbui
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona Italy
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6
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Outpatient benzodiazepine utilization in Croatia: drug use or misuse. Int J Clin Pharm 2019; 41:1526-1535. [DOI: 10.1007/s11096-019-00915-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Mahmood S, Hussain S, Ur Rehman T, Barbui C, Kurdi AB, Godman B. Trends in the prescribing of antipsychotic medicines in Pakistan: implications for the future. Curr Med Res Opin 2019; 35:51-61. [PMID: 30122062 DOI: 10.1080/03007995.2018.1513834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Introduction and objectives: There is a paucity of antipsychotic prescribing and utilization data in Pakistan that needs addressing, especially with issues of availability, affordability, gender differences, and domestic violence, to develop pertinent strategies. The objective of this study was to address these issues by describing current antipsychotic utilization patterns in Pakistan among adult patients attending tertiary care hospitals and private practitioners.Methods: A three staged approach was used including (1) assessment of total antipsychotic utilization, expenditure, and costs per unit between 2010 and 2015, (2) an in-depth retrospective study of prescribing patterns, including co-morbidities among representative hospital patients in Pakistan, and (3) assessment of the quality of prescribing against WHO targets.Results: Total use of antipsychotics increased 4.3-fold and the cost/unit increased by 13.2% during the study period. Risperidone and olanzapine were the most prescribed antipsychotics with more limited use of other typical and atypical antipsychotics. The number of medicines per encounter was 4.56. Prescription using generic instead of brand names was 21.4%. Seven per cent were prescribed more than one antipsychotic concurrently.Conclusion: There has been an appreciable increase in antipsychotic utilization in recent years in Pakistan, especially atypical antipsychotics, with little polypharmacy. Ongoing utilization of typical antipsychotics may be due to comorbidities such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Issues of international non-proprietary name prescribing need investigating along with the high number of medicines per encounter and gender inequality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sidra Mahmood
- Department of Pharmacy, Quaid e Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | | | - Taufeeq Ur Rehman
- Department of Pharmacy, Quaid e Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Corrado Barbui
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Italy
| | - Amanj Baker Kurdi
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Strathclyde University, Glasgow, UK
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq
| | - Brian Godman
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Strathclyde University, Glasgow, UK
- Health Economics Centre, Liverpool University Management School, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
- School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, Guanteng Province, South Africa
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Implementing mhGAP training to strengthen existing services for an internally displaced population in Pakistan. Glob Ment Health (Camb) 2017; 4:e6. [PMID: 28596907 PMCID: PMC5454790 DOI: 10.1017/gmh.2017.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Revised: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2014, over a million people were internally displaced after the launch of a military operation in North Waziristan, a tribal region on Pakistan's side of the Durand Line. Despite security concerns and restrictions, a collaborative mental health and psychosocial support initiative was undertaken in the district of Bannu. Monthly mental health camps were conducted for a period of 6 months by a multidisciplinary mental health team. The initiative also helped to assess mental health needs and plan training for primary care staff to strengthen existing resources. METHODS As part of this initiative, Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) training was conducted for physicians and psychosocial staff in the affected district. This marked the first instance of implementing these guidelines in Pakistan following a humanitarian crisis. This paper describes the training process including the adaptation of the mhGAP curriculum, training of trainers, training workshops for primary care staff and an analysis of results of pre- and post-testing of their knowledge about common mental disorders using a 25-item questionnaire. RESULTS The gaps in knowledge of primary care physicians in recognizing and managing common mental disorders were clearly identified. The mean pre- and post-test scores of the participants were 15.43, 62% (p value 0.000, s.d. 4.05) and 19.48, 78% (p value 0.000, s.d. 3.13) respectively, which showed significant improvement. CONCLUSIONS Despite the challenges of a humanitarian crisis, mhGAP guidelines can be successfully implemented to train primary care physicians in in low- and middle-income countries such as Pakistan. However, the dearth of primary care resources can hinder the complete integration of mental health services into primary healthcare.
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