Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Building Mental Health Research Capacity in Kenya: a South-North Collaboration

  • Published:
Global Social Welfare Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper describes a mental health capacity-building partnership between the University of Nairobi (UON) and the University of Washington (UW) that was built upon a foundational 30-year HIV/AIDS research training collaboration between the two institutions. With funding from the US National Institute of Mental Health Medical Education Program Initiative (MEPI), UW and UON faculty collaborated to develop and offer a series of workshops in research methods, grant writing, and manuscript publication for UON faculty and postgraduate students committed to mental health research. UON and UW scientists provided ongoing mentorship to UON trainees through Skype and email. Three active thematic research groups emerged that focused on maternal and child mental health, gender-based violence, and HIV-related substance abuse. Challenges to conducting mental health research in Kenya included limited resources to support research activities, heavy teaching responsibilities, clinical duties, and administrative demands on senior faculty, and stigmatization of mental health conditions, treatment, and research within Kenyan society. The partnership yielded a number of accomplishments: a body of published papers and presentations at national and international meetings on Kenyan mental health topics, the institution of systematic mental health data collection in rural clinics, funded research proposals, and a mental health research resource center. We highlight lessons learned for future mental health research capacity-building initiatives.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ambale, C. A., Sinei, K. A., Amugune, B. K., & Oluka, M. N. (2017). Accessibility of medicines used in the management of substance use disorders in selected hospitals in Nairobi. African Journal of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 6(2), 102–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bass, J., Neugebauer, R., Clougherty, K. F., Verdeli, H., Wickramaratne, P., Ndogoni, L., & Bolton, P. (2006). Group interpersonal psychotherapy for depression in rural Uganda: 6-month outcomes: randomised controlled trial. The British Journal of Psychiatry : The Journal of Mental Science, 188(6), 567–573. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.188.6.567.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bolton, P., Bass, J., Betancourt, T., Speelman, L., Onyango, G., Clougherty, K. F., & Verdeli, H. (2007). Interventions for depression symptoms among adolescent survivors of war and displacement in northern Uganda: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA, 298(5), 519–527. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.298.5.519.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Child, M. J., Kiarie, J. N., Allen, S. M., Nduati, R., Wasserheit, J. N., Kibore, M. W., et al. (2014). Expanding clinical medical training opportunities at the University of Nairobi: adapting a regional medical education model from the WWAMI program at the University of Washington. Academic Medicine: Journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges, 89(8 Suppl), S35–S39. https://doi.org/10.1097/ACM.0000000000000350.

  • Collins, P. (2013). Research priorities, capacity, and networks in global mental health. In V. Patel, H. Minas, A. Cohen, & M. J. Prince (Eds.), Global mental health principles and practice (1st ed., pp. 425–449). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fryers, T., Melzer, D., & Jenkins, R. (2003). Social inequalities and the common mental disorders. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 38(5), 229–237. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-003-0627-2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Global Burden of Disease Study 2013 Collaborators. (2015). Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 301 acute and chronic diseases and injuries in 188 countries, 1990-2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013. Lancet (London, England), 386(9995), 743–800. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60692-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horton, R. (2013). Offline: is global health neocolonialist? The Lancet, 382(9906), 1690. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(13)62379-X.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jomo, S., Amugune, B., Sinei, K., & Oluka, M. (2016). Assessing the prevalence and severity of potential drug-drug interactions among mentally ill inpatients. Indian Research Journal of Pharmacy and Science, 8(8), 331–343.

    Google Scholar 

  • Katon, W., Russo, J., Lin, E. H. B., Schmittdiel, J., Ciechanowski, P., Ludman, E., & Von Korff, M. (2012). Cost-effectiveness of a multicondition collaborative care intervention. Archives of General Psychiatry, 69(5), 506–514. https://doi.org/10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2011.1548.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lansang, M. A., and Dennis, R. (2004). Building capacity in health research in the developing world. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 82(10), 764–70. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15643798.

  • Machayo, J., & Keraro, V. (2013). Brain drain among health professionals in Kenya: a case of poor working conditions? - a critical review of the causes and effects. Prime Journal of Business Administration and Management, 3(6), 1047–1063.

    Google Scholar 

  • Madeghe, B. A., Kimani, V. N., Vander Stoep, A., Nicodimos, S., & Kumar, M. (2016). Postpartum depression and infant feeding practices in a low income urban settlement in Nairobi-Kenya. BMC Research Notes, 9(1), 506. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-016-2307-9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maina, R., Obondo, A. A., Kuria, M. W., & Donovan, D. M. (2015). Substance use literacy: implications for HIV medication adherence and addiction severity among substance users. African Journal of Drug and Alcohol Studies, 14(2), 137–151 Retrieved from https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajdas/article/view/133134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manasi, K., Linnet, O., Ongeri, L., Mathai, M., & Mbwayo, A. (2015). Translation of EPDS questionnaire into Kiswahili: understanding the cross-cultural and translation issues in mental health research. Journal of Pregnancy and Child Health, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.4172/2376-127X.1000134.

  • Mbwayo, A. W., & Mathai, M. (2016). Association between hopelessness and conduct problem among school going adolescents in a rural and urban setting in Kenya. Journal of Child and Adolescent Behaviour, 4(291). https://doi.org/10.4172/2375-4494.1000291.

  • Musyoka, C. M., Obwenyi, A. M., Mathai, M., & Ndetei, D. M. (2016). Models and approaches to alcohol and drug addiction rehabilitation in Kenya. International Journal of Health and Psychology Research, 44(44), 1–12 Retrieved from http://www.eajournals.org/wp-content/uploads/Models-and-Approaches-to-Alcohol-and-Drug-Addiction-Rehabilitation-in-Kenya.pdf.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mutavi, T., Obondo, A., Nganga, P., Kumar, M., & Mathai, M. (2016). Psychosocial outcomes among children following defilement and the caregivers responses to the children’s trauma: a qualitative study from Nairobi Suburbs, Kenya. African Journal of Traumatic Stress, 5(1), 29–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mutavi, T., Mathai, M., & Obondo, A. (2017). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in sexually abused children and educational status in Kenya: a longitudinal study. Journal of Child and Adolescent Behavior, 5(5), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.4172/2375-4494.1000357.

    Google Scholar 

  • NIH. (2011). Multiple Principal Investigators - general information. Retrieved from https://grants.nih.gov/grants/multi_pi/overview.htm

  • Osanjo, G. O., Oyugi, J. O., Kibwage, I. O., Mwanda, W. O., Ngugi, E. N., Otieno, F. C., & Kiarie, J. N. (2015). Building capacity in implementation science research training at the University of Nairobi. Implementation Science, 11(1), 30. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-016-0395-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patel, V. (2007). Mental health in low- and middle-income countries. British Medical Bulletin, 81–82(1), 81–96. https://doi.org/10.1093/bmb/ldm010.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Polkovnikova-Wamoto, A., Mathai, M., Vander Stoep, A., & Kumar, M. (2016). “Haven of safety” and “secure base”: a qualitative inquiry into factors affecting child attachment security in Nairobi, Kenya. Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies, 11(4), 286–296. https://doi.org/10.1080/17450128.2016.1201237.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pratap, S., Itzhak, L., Sylvie, O., Francisco, A. de, and Shekhar, S. (Eds.). (2007). Research capacity for mental health in low-and middle-income countries: results of a mapping project. Global Forum for Health Research and World Health Organization. Geneva: Geneva, World Health Organization & Global Forum for Health Research. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mental_health/MHRC_FullText.pdf

  • Røttingen, J-A., Regmi, S., Eide, M., Young, A. J., Viergever, R. F., Årdal, C., Guzman, J., Edwards, D., Matlin, S. A., Terry, R. F. (2013) Mapping of available health research and development data: what's there, what's missing, and what role is there for a global observatory? The Lancet, 382(9900), 1286–1307

  • Rao, D., Feldman, B. J., Fredericksen, R. J., Crane, P. K., Simoni, J. M., Kitahata, M. M., & Crane, H. M. (2012). A structural equation model of HIV-related stigma, depressive symptoms, and medication adherence. AIDS and Behavior, 16(3), 711–716. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-011-9915-0.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rüsch, N., Müller, M., Ajdacic-Gross, V., Rodgers, S., Corrigan, P. W., & Rössler, W. (2014). Shame, perceived knowledge and satisfaction associated with mental health as predictors of attitude patterns towards help-seeking. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 23(2), 177–187. https://doi.org/10.1017/S204579601300036X.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saxena, S., Paraje, G., Sharan, P., Karam, G., & Sadana, R. (2006). The 10/90 divide in mental health research: trends over a 10-year period. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 188(1), 81–82. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.105.011221.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saxena, S., Thornicroft, G., Knapp, M., & Whiteford, H. (2007). Resources for mental health: scarcity, inequity, and inefficiency. The Lancet, 370(9590), 878–889. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61239-2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vasquez, E. E., Hirsch, J. S., Giang, L. M., & Parker, R. G. (2013). Rethinking health research capacity strengthening. Global Public Health, 8 Suppl, 1(sup1), S104–S124. https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2013.786117.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verdeli, H., Clougherty, K., Onyango, G., Lewandowski, E., Speelman, L., Betancourt, T. S., & Bolton, P. (2008). Group interpersonal psychotherapy for depressed youth in IDP camps in northern Uganda: adaptation and training. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 17(3), 605–624, ix. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chc.2008.03.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waititu, A. I., Mwangangi, E. M., Amugune, B., Bosire, K. O., and Makanyengo, M. (2016). Impact of depression on adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV/AIDS patients at a Kenyan referral hospital. Retrieved from http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke:8080/xmlui/handle/11295/95964

  • Whiteford, H. A., Degenhardt, L., Rehm, J., Baxter, A. J., Ferrari, A. J., Erskine, H. E., & Vos, T. (2013). Global burden of disease attributable to mental and substance use disorders: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010. The Lancet, 382(9904), 1575–1586. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(13)61611-6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization (2012). Report of the Consultative Expert Working Group on Research and Development: financing and coordination. http://www.who.int/phi/CEWG_Report_5_April_2012.pdf

  • World Health Organization. (2016). mhGAP Intervention guide - version 2.0 for mental, neurological and substance use disorders in non-specialized health settings. Geneva.

  • Yator, O., Mathai, M., Vander Stoep, A., Rao, D., & Kumar, M. (2016). Risk factors for postpartum depression in women living with HIV attending prevention of mother-to-child transmission clinic at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi. AIDS Care, 28(7), 884–889. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540121.2016.1160026.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

Funding for this work came from the National Institute of Health/ National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) through award number R25MH099132 and D43DW010141.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, College of Health Sciences, Kenyatta National Hospital, University of Nairobi, P O Box 19676, Nairobi, 00202, Kenya

    Muthoni Mathai, Manasi Kumar, Mary Kuria, Anne Obondo & Anne Mbwayo

  2. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Epidemiology University of Washington, Box 354920, Seattle, WA, USA

    Ann Vander Stoep

  3. Child Health Institute, 6200 NE 74th Street, Suite 210, Seattle, WA, 98115-1538, USA

    Ann Vander Stoep

  4. School of Public Health, Kenyatta National Hospital, University of Nairobi, P O Box 19676, Nairobi, 00202, Kenya

    Violet Kimani

  5. School of Pharmacy, Kenyatta National Hospital, University of Nairobi, P O Box 19676, Nairobi, 00202, Kenya

    Beatrice Amugune

  6. Kenyatta National Hospital, University of Nairobi, P O Box 19676, Nairobi, 00202, Kenya

    Margaret Makanyengo

  7. Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health and Department of Global Health, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA

    Mara Child & Jürgen Unützer

  8. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya

    James Kiarie

  9. World Health Organization, Human Reproduction Team, Kenyatta National Hospital, P O Box 19676, Nairobi, 00202, Kenya

    James Kiarie

  10. Department of Global Mental Health, Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Deepa Rao

  11. Department of Global Health, Harborview Medical Center, Box 359931, 325 9th Ave, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA

    Deepa Rao

Authors
  1. Muthoni Mathai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ann Vander Stoep
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Manasi Kumar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Mary Kuria
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Anne Obondo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Violet Kimani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Beatrice Amugune
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Margaret Makanyengo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Anne Mbwayo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Mara Child
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Jürgen Unützer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. James Kiarie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  13. Deepa Rao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Muthoni Mathai.

Ethics declarations

All research conducted in this project receives approval from the KNH-UON Ethics and Research Committee (http://erc.uonbi.ac.ke).

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Disclaimer

The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health or the National Institute of Mental Health.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mathai, M., Stoep, A.V., Kumar, M. et al. Building Mental Health Research Capacity in Kenya: a South-North Collaboration. Glob Soc Welf 6, 177–188 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40609-018-0126-8

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40609-018-0126-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation