Depression, anxiety, and drug use are principal drivers of disability globally, and suicide is among the leading causes of death among those aged 15-44. However, even with this, in Mozambique, only 0.29% of the population is estimated to have access to basic mental health services. The lack of data on clinical capacity, care practices, sociocultural factors, prevalence and risk/protective factors of common mental disorders limit opportunities to design, advocate for, and integrate mental healthcare in primary care settings in Mozambique.
This project is the first to collect foundational mixed-methods data on common mental disorders and suicidal behavior in Mozambique, while also developing a locally-relevant screening tool for use in epidemiologic monitoring and delivery of mental healthcare.
Aim 1 examines current health-facility and community-level explanatory models, idioms, beliefs, and practices regarding common mental disorders using in-depth-interviews and focus group discussions.
Aim 2 will adapt the patient health questionnaire (PHQ) to the sociocultural context of Mozambique and pilot test its reliability and validity.
Aim 3 will apply the adapted PHQ in a population-based epidemiologic survey of population prevalence, care-seeking pathways, and risk/protective factors of depression, anxiety, alcohol abuse, and suicidal behavior.
Results from this study will inform the design of subsequent implementation research projects related to the provision of mental health services and support advocacy for enhanced services in Mozambique.