Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Four-Component Framework Toward Patient-Centered, Integrated Mental Healthcare In Kenya, Manasi Kumar, Thomas L. Osborn, Cyrus Mugo, Hossein Akbarialiabad, Osman Warfa, Wangui Muthigani Mbuthia, Christine Wambugu, Carol Ngunu, Fatima Gohar, Shillah Mwaniga

Brain and Mind Institute

Background: How can we fast-track the global agenda of integrated mental healthcare in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as Kenya? This is a question that has become increasingly important for individuals with lived experiences, policymakers, mental health advocates and health care providers at the local and international levels.

Discussion: This narrative synthesis and perspective piece encompasses an overview of mental health care competencies, best practices and capacity building needed to fast track patient responsive services. In that vein we also review key policy developments like UHC to make a case for fast-tracking our four-step framework.

Results: While there is …

Depression And Its Associated Factors: Perceived Stress, Social Support, Substance Use And Related Sociodemographic Risk Factors In Medical School Residents In Nairobi, Kenya, Sayed Shah Nur Hussein Shah, Ahmed Laving, Violet Caroline Okech-Helu, Manasi Kumar

Brain and Mind Institute

Abstract: Background: Little data exists regarding depression and its associated factors in medical residents and doctors in Sub-Saharan Africa. Residents are at high risk of developing depression owing to the stressful nature of their medical practice and academic training. Depression in medical residents leads to decreased clinical efficiency, and poor academic performance; it can also lead to substance abuse and suicide. Our primary aim was to measure depression prevalence among medical residents in Kenya’s largest national teaching and referral hospital. Secondary aims were to describe how depression was associated with perceived stress, perceived social support, substance use, and educational environment. …

Perinatal Depression And Its Impact On Infant Outcomes And Maternal-Nurse Sms Communication In A Cohort Of Kenyan Women, Alyssa Hummel, Keshet Ronen, Amritha Bhat, Brenda Wandika, Esther M Choo M. Choo, Lusi Osborn, Maneesh Batra, John Kinuthia, Manasi Kumar, Jennifer A. Unger

Brain and Mind Institute

Abstract: Background Perinatal depression is broadly defined as depressive symptoms during pregnancy or within the 12 months following delivery, affecting approximately 20-25% of pregnant and postpartum women in low- and middle-income countries. The wide accessibility of mobile phones allows mobile health (mHealth) interventions to be considered a solution to identify perinatal depression and provide appropriate referrals for treatment. This study, nested in a larger SMS communication project, examined the prevalence and correlates of perinatal depression, determined the association between antenatal depression and infant morbidity/mortality, and compared SMS communication patterns between women with and without perinatal depression. Methods This was a …