Beatrice Mkubwa

Contextualization and Pilot testing of the Child and Adolescent Mental and Behavioural disorders (CMH) module of the WHO's Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) Intervention Guide in Kenya

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Despite the high burden of Child and Adolescent Mental and Behavioural disorders (CMHs) in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), there is a massive gap in mental health care for children and adolescents. Diagnosing and managing these issues in children and adolescents is challenging due to the scarcity of specialized mental health experts, especially in Primary Healthcare (PHC) settings – which are the first healthcare entry point for most. Building healthcare workers' capacity in assessing and managing child and adolescent mental and behavioural disorders including developmental disorders is a critical component of the multi-sectoral integrated care model SPARK aims to develop. Beatrice Mkubwa's PhD project aims to contextualize, adapt, implement, and evaluate the CMH module of the WHO mhGAP-IG version 2 in Nairobi and Kilifi Counties in Kenya.

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Project Phases

Phase 1: Scoping Review

The scoping review will examine knowledge, attitudes, and practice gaps in child and adolescent mental health among healthcare workers (HCWs) in sub-Saharan Africa

Phase 2: Situational Analysis

Phase 3: Contextualisation and Adaptation of the CMH Module of the mhGAP-IG

Phase 4: Training and Evaluation of impact post-implementation of the CMH module

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About Beatrice

Beatrice has a background training in BSc. Nursing from Moi University, a postgraduate diploma in Health Research Methods from Pwani University, and a Master's degree in Implementation Science from the University of Witwatersrand. Beatrice also has clinical research experience in Health Systems and Child Neurodevelopmental fields, which she gained during her previous work at KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme.

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