Community Case Detection Tool for Mental Health Care in Ugandan Refugee Settlements: Clinical Trial Results
Background
Strategies to promote mental health care help-seeking among children are crucial, especially in low-income and complex settings. This trial aimed to compare a proactive case detection tool (CCDT) against standard awareness raising for promoting mental health help-seeking among children and adolescents.
Methods
The trial was conducted in Ugandan refugee settlements using a stepped wedge cluster randomised design. Community gatekeepers received training on using the CCDT to detect children with mental health concerns and encourage them to use mental health-care services. The primary outcome was mental health-care service use by children and adolescents.
Findings
During the 9-month trial, 2385 children visited a mental health-care service, with CCDT implementation associated with a significant increase in service use compared to standard awareness-raising activities. Despite a slight decline over time, CCDT zones maintained a substantial increase in mental health service use.
Interpretation
The CCDT enabled community gatekeepers to increase mental health-care service use by children and adolescents, showing promise in reducing the mental health-care gap among children, especially when accompanied by accessible mental health-care services.
Funding
Sint Antonius Stichting Projects
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