Culturally Adapted Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CaCBT) to Improve Community Mental Health Services for Canadians of South Asian Origin: A Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: South Asian (SA) Canadians are disproportionately affected by higher rates of mood and anxiety disorders. SA Canadians with depression report significant barriers to accessing mental health care and the highest proportion of unmet mental health needs. The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) advocates for culturally and linguistically relevant services for SA Canadians. Culturally adapted cognitive behavior therapy (CaCBT) has shown to be more effective than standard cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). Adapting CBT for the growing SA population in Canada will ensure equitable access to effective, culturally-appropriate mental health interventions. METHOD: The study used a qualitative design to elicit stakeholder consultation via in-depth interviews. This study is reported using the criteria included in Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies (COREQ). The analysis follows an ethnographic approach and was informed by the principles of emergent design. RESULTS: Five themes were identified from the analysis, (i) Awareness and preparation: factors that impact the individual's understanding of therapy and mental illness. (ii) Access and provision: SA Canadians' perception of barriers, facilitators, and access to treatment. (iii) Assessment and engagement: experiences of receiving helpful treatment. (iv) Adjustments to therapy: modifications and suggestions to standard CBT. (v) Ideology and ambiguity: racism, immigration, discrimination, and other socio-political factors. CONCLUSIONS: Mainstream mental health services need to be culturally appropriate to better serve SA Canadians experiencing depression and anxiety. Services must understand the family dynamics, cultural values and socio-political factors that impact SA Canadians to reduce attrition rates in therapy.

The Effects of Community Home Visit and Peer Group Nutrition Intervention Delivery Platforms on Nutrition Outcomes in Low and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Weak delivery systems reduce the potential of evidence-supp orted interventions to improve nutrition. We synthesized the evidence for the effectiveness of nutrition-specific intervention delivery platforms for improving nutrition outcomes in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). A systematic literature search for studies published from 1997 to June 2018 resulted in the inclusion of 83 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-randomized, and controlled before-after studies across a variety of delivery platforms. In this paper, we report on meta-analysed outcomes for community health worker (CHW) home visits and mother/peer group delivery platforms. Compared to care as usual, CHW home visits increased early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) (OR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.99; n = 10 RCTs) and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) (OR: 4.42; 95% CI: 2.28, 8.56; n = 9 RCTs) and mother/peer groups were effective for improving children's minimum dietary diversity (OR: 2.34; 95% CI: 1.17, 4.70; n = 4) and minimum meal frequency (OR: 2.31; 95% CI: 1.61, 3.31; n = 3). Pooled estimates from studies using both home visit and group platforms showed positive results for EIBF (OR: 2.13; 95% CI: 1.12, 4.05; n = 9), EBF (OR: 2.43; 95% CI: 1.70, 3.46; n = 12), and < 5 wasting (OR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.67, 0.89; n = 4). Our findings underscore the importance of interpersonal community platforms for improving infant and young child feeding practices and children's nutritional status in LMICs.