Community Based Mental Health Screening and Referral (MeSH)

Dr Jai Kumar Das

Status: Completed

Conditions: Community Health Services; Women's Health; Depression; Anxiety Disorders; Mental Health

Treatments: Behavioral: Mental health screening

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06756165

53600 (Other Grant/Funding Number)

2024-10475-30776

Details and patient eligibility

About

This feasibility study aims to evaluate the implementation of a community-based mental health screening, referral, and resilience-building intervention for flood-affected women of reproductive age (WRA) in a rural district of Dadu, Sindh, Pakistan. The quasi-experimental study uses a comparison group and involves training Lady Health Workers (LHWs) to conduct mental health screening using GAD-2 and PHQ-2 tools, refer screen-positive women to Basic Health Units (BHUs) for further assessment, and conduct group sessions on mental health awareness and climate resilience. BHU doctors will reassess referred women using GAD-7 and PHQ-9, provide psycho-counseling, and refer severe cases to tertiary care. The study will assess feasibility, acceptability, appropriateness, and effectiveness of the intervention to inform scalable mental health strategies for disaster-prone settings.

Full description

This study evaluates the feasibility and implementation of a community-based mental health screening, referral, and resilience-building intervention for women of reproductive age (WRA) affected by the 2022 floods in the Dadu district of Sindh, Pakistan. The intervention engages Lady Health Workers (LHWs) to screen WRA using validated tools-GAD-2 and PHQ-2. Women scoring ≥3 on either scale will be referred to Basic Health Units (BHUs), where trained facility-based doctors will reassess them using the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 instruments. Based on the diagnosis, WRA with mild to moderate symptoms will receive two structured counseling sessions, while those with severe symptoms will be referred to tertiary care with logistical support.

In parallel, LHWs will conduct monthly group sessions to raise mental health awareness, address stigma, and build community resilience to climate change-related hazards such as flooding. These sessions, based on a standardized curriculum, are open to all WRA regardless of screening status and focus on stress management, coping strategies, and emotional support.

The study employs a quasi-experimental design with a comparison group across selected union councils. The intervention will be evaluated through baseline and end-line quantitative surveys as well as qualitative assessments via focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs). The primary outcomes include feasibility, acceptability, appropriateness, and awareness levels, while the secondary outcome assesses the effectiveness of the intervention in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.

The findings will guide future efforts to integrate mental health services into primary care and community-based disaster preparedness strategies in Pakistan and similar contexts.

Enrollment: 4,800 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 49 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women of reproductive age (WRA) 18-49 years in the targeted area

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Non-Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

---

4,800 participants in 2 patient groups

Intervention Arm

Experimental group

Description:

This arm focuses on enhancing mental health through structured activities integrated into existing community and primary health services. Participants in this arm will receive additional support to address mental health challenges within the flood-affected communities of Dadu. The intervention leverages trained Lady Health Workers (LHWs) and healthcare staff at primary health centers to screen, manage and provide timely referrals.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Mental health screening

Control Arm

No Intervention group

Description:

Participants in the control arm will receive the standard care currently provided in the study area, which includes routine health services delivered by community health workers and the healthcare system. The control arm serves as a comparison group, enabling an evaluation of the additional impact of the intervention on mental health outcomes, resilience, and community engagement.