Process and outcome of child psychotherapies offered in Kenya: a mixed methods study protocol on improving child mental health

Abstract

Background Child and adolescent mental health problems account for a significant proportion of the local and global burden of disease and is recognized as a growing public health concern in need of adequate services. Studies carried out in Kenya suggest a need for a robust service for the treatment, prevention, and promotion of child and adolescent mental health. Despite a few existing services to provide treatment and management of mental health disorders, we need more knowledge about their effectiveness in the management of these disorders. This paper describes a study protocol that aims to evaluate the process and outcomes of psychotherapies offered to children and adolescents seeking mental health services at the Kenyatta National Hospital in Kenya. Methods This study will use a prospective cohort approach that will follow adolescent patients (12–17 years of age) receiving mental health services in the youth clinics at the Kenyatta National Hospital for a period of 12 months. During this time a mixed methods research will be carried out, focusing on treatment outcomes, therapeutic relationship, understanding of psychotherapy, and other mental health interventions offered to the young patients. In this proposed study, we define outcome as the alleviation of symptoms, which will be assessed quantitatively using longitudinal patient data collected session-wise. Process refers to the mechanisms identified to promote change in the adolescent. For example, individual participant or clinician characteristics, therapeutic alliance will be assessed both quantitatively and qualitatively. In each session, assessments will be used to reduce problems due to attrition and to enable calculation of longitudinal change trajectories using growth curve modeling. For this study, these will be referred to as session-wise assessments. Qualitative work will include interviews with adolescent patients, their caregivers as well as feedback from the mental health care providers on existing services and their barriers to providing care. Conclusion This study aims to understand the mechanisms through which change takes place beyond the context of psychotherapy. What are the moderators and through which mechanisms do they operate to improve mental health outcomes in young people?

Routine outcome measurement in adolescents seeking mental health services: standardization of HoNOSCA in Kenyan sample

“…The first author trained a research assistant to administer the questionnaires [ 34 ]. The research assistant approached potential participants during their first visit at the clinic.…”

Assessment on the Effect of Executive Functioning Disorders in Vulnerability to Depression Among Adolescents in Secondary Schools in Meru County, Kenya

“…Locally, Wambua et al (2020) analyzed the procedures and results of adolescent and adolescent centered psychotherapies currently in place in Kenya. Wambua et al (2020) acknowledged that there was an increasing concern for psychotherapies among adolescents and adolescent in Kenya. This was because; in as much as there were few services that treat cognitive disorders in Kenya, there effectiveness was not known.…”

“…Willingness of a patient was greatly hampered with the level of depression they were going through such as neglect from close relatives which may lower their self-esteem. Therefore, Wambua et al (2020) investigated the psychotherapies offered at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and used mixture of methods depending on several factors such as treatment results and psychotherapy offered at different stages of the treatment. In relation to this, Wambua et al (2020) concluded that the area was still underdeveloped, poor specialized services and supporting resources, lack of trained staff and lack of policies.…”

“…Therefore, Wambua et al (2020) investigated the psychotherapies offered at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and used mixture of methods depending on several factors such as treatment results and psychotherapy offered at different stages of the treatment. In relation to this, Wambua et al (2020) concluded that the area was still underdeveloped, poor specialized services and supporting resources, lack of trained staff and lack of policies. There was a gap in establishing what was known as effectiveness in psychotherapies, what was offered in psychotherapies and the consumer experiences in psychotherapies.…”

Genetic Factors in Mental Health Disorders in adolescents in West Java: Experiencing it with Genomics

“…These disorders can have a significant impact on their social-emotional development, well-being, and mental health [3]. Some of the leading mental health disorders among adolescents include depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorders, substance use disorders, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) [4].…”