Prevalence of adolescent mental disorders in Kenya, Indonesia, and Viet Nam measured by the National Adolescent Mental Health Surveys (NAMHS): a multi-national cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Mental disorders are the leading global cause of health burden among adolescents. However, prevalence data for mental disorders among adolescents in low-income and middle-income countries are scarce with often limited generalisability. This study aimed to generate nationally representative prevalence estimates for mental disorders in adolescents in Kenya, Indonesia, and Viet Nam. METHODS: As part of the National Adolescent Mental Health Surveys (NAMHS), a multinational cross-sectional study, nationally representative household surveys were conducted in Kenya, Indonesia, and Viet Nam between March and December, 2021. Adolescents aged 10-17 years and their primary caregiver were interviewed from households selected randomly according to sampling frames specifically designed to elicit nationally representative results. Six mental disorders (social phobia, generalised anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, conduct disorder, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) were assessed with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children, Version 5. Suicidal behaviours and self-harm in the past 12 months were also assessed. Prevalence in the past 12 months and past 4 weeks was calculated for each mental disorder and collectively for any mental disorder (ie, of the six mental disorders assessed). Prevalence of suicidal behaviours (ie, ideation, planning, and attempt) and self-harm in the past 12 months was calculated, along with adjusted odds ratios (aORs) to show the association with prevalence of any mental disorder in the past 12 months. Inverse probability weighting was applied to generate national estimates with corresponding 95% CIs. FINDINGS: Final samples consisted of 5155 households (ie, adolescent and primary caregiver pairs) from Kenya, 5664 households from Indonesia, and 5996 households from Viet Nam. In Kenya, 2416 (46·9%) adolescents were male and 2739 (53·1%) were female; in Indonesia, 2803 (49·5%) adolescents were male and 2861 (50·5%) were female; and in Viet Nam, 3151 (52·5%) were male and 2845 (47·4%) were female. Prevalence of any mental disorder in the past 12 months was 12·1% (95% CI 10·9-13·5) in Kenya, 5·5% (4·3-6·9) in Indonesia, and 3·3% (2·7-4·1) in Viet Nam. Prevalence in the past 4 weeks was 9·4% (8·3-10·6) in Kenya, 4·4% (3·4-5·6) in Indonesia, and 2·7% (2·2-3·3) in Viet Nam. The prevalence of suicidal behaviours in the past 12 months was low in all three countries, with suicide ideation ranging from 1·4% in Indonesia (1·0-2·0) and Viet Nam (1·0-1·9) to 4·6% (3·9-5·3) in Kenya, suicide planning ranging from 0·4% in Indonesia (0·3-0·8) and Viet Nam (0·2-0·6) to 2·4% (1·9-2·9) in Kenya, and suicide attempts ranging from 0·2% in Indonesia (0·1-0·4) and Viet Nam (0·1-0·3) to 1·0% (0·7-1·4) in Kenya. The prevalence of self-harm in the past 12 months was also low in all three countries, ranging from 0·9% (0·6-1·3) in Indonesia to 1·2% (0·9-1·7) in Kenya. However, the prevalence of suicidal behaviours and self-harm in the past 12 months was significantly higher among those with any mental disorder in the past 12 months than those without (eg, aORs for suicidal ideation ranged from 7·1 [3·1-15·9] in Indonesia to 14·7 [7·5-28·6] in Viet Nam). INTERPRETATION: NAMHS provides the first national adolescent mental disorders prevalence estimates for Kenya, Indonesia, and Viet Nam. These data can inform mental health and broader health policies in low-income and middle-income countries. FUNDING: The University of Queensland in America (TUQIA) through support from Pivotal Ventures, a Melinda French Gates company.

'I think they might just go to the doctor': qualitatively examining the (un)acceptability of newer HIV testing approaches among Vietnamese-born migrants in greater-Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Background In high-income countries (HICs), migrants often have higher rates of late diagnosis of HIV than the host population. Timely HIV testing has significant implications for HIV prevention and management. Newer HIV testing approaches, namely provider-initiated testing and counselling (PITC), HIV rapid testing (HIV RT) and HIV self-testing (HIV ST), aim to reach those populations most at risk and, particularly, those who have not previously tested for HIV. METHODS: This study used semi-structured interviews to examine the (un)acceptability, barriers and facilitators to newer HIV testing approaches (i.e. PITC, HIV RT and HIV ST) among Vietnamese-born migrants (n = 10) in greater-Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. RESULTS: Vietnamese-born migrants had mixed perspectives on the (un)acceptability of newer HIV testing approaches. PITC was largely viewed by participants as a facilitator to HIV testing for Vietnamese-born migrants. Likewise, HIV RT (undertaken by a doctor in a medical setting, as opposed to a trained community member in a community setting) was generally considered to facilitate HIV testing. HIV ST was largely not considered acceptable to Vietnamese-born migrants and they would prefer to go to a doctor for HIV testing. Several factors were identified that either facilitate or act as barriers to newer HIV testing approaches, including privacy; cost of (accessing) HIV testing; comfort and convenience; healthcare provider relationship; risk perception; symptoms; and technical and emotional support. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to understand migrants' HIV testing preferences if poorer HIV-related outcomes are to be overcome. The findings from this study show a preference for doctor-centred HIV testing, due to enhanced privacy, accuracy and support.

Study protocol: a clinical trial for improving mental health screening for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pregnant women and mothers of young children using the Kimberley Mum's Mood Scale.

BACKGROUND: Improving the rates of, and instruments used in, screening for perinatal depression and anxiety among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are important public health priorities. The Kimberley Mum's Mood Scale (KMMS) was developed and later validated as an effective and acceptable perinatal depression and anxiety screening tool for the Kimberley region under research conditions. Other regions have expressed interest in using the KMMS with perinatal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. It is, however, important to re-evaluate the KMMS in a larger Kimberley sample via a real world implementation study, and to test for applicability in other remote and regional environments before recommendations for wider use can be made. This paper outlines the protocol for evaluating the process of implementation and establishing the 'real world' validity and acceptability of the KMMS in the Kimberley, Pilbara and Far North Queensland in northern Australia. METHODS: The study will use a range of quantitative and qualitative methods across all sites. KMMS validation/revalidation internal consistency of Part 1 will be determined using Cronbach's alpha. Equivalence for identifying risk of depression and anxiety compared to a standard reference assessment will be determined from receiver operating characteristic curves. Sensitivity and specificity will be determined based on these cut-points. Qualitative methods of phenomenology will be used to explore concepts of KMMS user acceptability (women and health professionals). Additional process evaluation methods will collate, assess and report on KMMS quality review data, consultations with health service administrators and management, field notes, and other documentation from the research team. This information will be reported on using the Dynamic Sustainability Framework. DISCUSSION: This project is contributing to the important public health priority of screening Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women for perinatal depression and anxiety with tools that are meaningful and responsive to cultural and clinical needs. Identifying and addressing barriers to implementation contributes to our understanding of the complexity of improving routine clinical practie. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered retrospectively on 15/05/2019 with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial registry (ACTRN12619000580178).

Interventions for Increasing HIV Testing Uptake in Migrants: A Systematic Review of Evidence.

Migrants have been identified as being at greater risk for late HIV testing and diagnosis. Late diagnosis is of concern because timely diagnosis and initiation of treatment can both optimise health outcomes and reduce transmission. We reviewed and evaluated interventions that aimed to increase HIV testing uptake in migrant populations. Of 6511 papers retrieved, 10 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Three types of interventions were identified (exposure to HIV prevention messages, HIV education programs, and direct offer of testing). All interventions were based on individual models of behaviour change targeting migrants or GPs. While important, interventions that also address broader health system and structural factors that contribute to late HIV-diagnosis in at-risk members of migrant populations are needed. Integrating PITC into existing primary healthcare settings shows promise of creating an enabling environment within patient-doctor relationships that can encourage HIV testing uptake among migrant populations.

A realist synthesis of cross-border patient movement from low and middle income countries to similar or higher income countries.

Patient travel across borders to access healthcare is becoming increasingly common and widespread. Patients moving from high income to middle income countries for healthcare is well documented, with patients seeking treatments that are cheaper or more readily available than at home. Less well understood is when patients move from one low income country to another or from a low income country to a higher income country. In this paper, a realist review was undertaken to explore why, in what contexts and how patients from lower income countries travel to countries with the same, or more advanced, economies for planned healthcare. Based on an initial scoping of the literature and discussions with key informants, we generated an initial theory and set of propositions about why, how, who and in what contexts people cross international borders for planned healthcare. We then systematically located and synthesized (1) peer-reviewed studies from the Scopus, Embase, Web of Science and Econlit databases; (2) non-indexed reports using key informants and Google; and (3) papers from the reference lists of included documents, to glean supportive or contradictory evidence for our initial propositions. As we reviewed the literature and extracted our data, we drew on the work of Pierre Bourdieu to understand the interplay between material and non-material capital and cognitive processes in decisions to cross borders for healthcare. Patient travel was largely undertaken due to a lack of services in the home country and/or unacceptability of local services, with decisions on when, and where, to travel, usually made within the patient's social networks. They were able to travel via use of multiple resources, including social networks, economic and cultural capital, and habitus. Those patients with greater volumes of the aforementioned factors had greater healthcare options; however, even those with limited resources engaged in patient travel. Patient movement challenges traditional ways of thinking about public health and the notion of health systems contained within the nation state. Further research is needed to better understand the effects of patient travel, and how to harness the benefits of patient travel without exacerbating existing health inequalities.

Barriers and Facilitators to HIV Testing in Migrants in High-Income Countries: A Systematic Review.

Migrants, particularly from low- and middle-income countries, are at a heightened risk of adverse HIV outcomes. HIV testing may improve these outcomes. We reviewed and synthesised studies into migrants and HIV testing (outcome variable), published between January 1997 and April 2014. Papers using quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods designs, and samples with adult (≥18 years) migrants from low- and middle-income countries in high-income countries were included in the paper. Of 3155 papers retrieved, 31 met the inclusion criteria and are included in the review. A large number of barriers and facilitators to HIV testing were identified across the individual, social and structural levels. A number of study design and methodological issues, however, inhibited a comprehensive synthesis. There is no doubt that addressing HIV testing in migrants in high-income countries is complex; however, it has important implications for individual, community and population health, and a strong, empirically based response is warranted.

Does physical activity prevent cognitive decline and dementia?: A systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies.

BACKGROUND: By 2050, it has been estimated that approximately one-fifth of the population will be made up of older adults (aged ≥60 years). Old age often comes with cognitive decline and dementia. Physical activity may prevent cognitive decline and dementia. METHODS: We reviewed and synthesised prospective studies into physical activity and cognitive decline, and physical activity and dementia, published until January 2014. Forty-seven cohorts, derived from two previous systematic reviews and an updated database search, were used in the meta-analyses. Included participants were aged ≥40 years, in good health and/or randomly selected from the community. Studies were assessed for methodological quality. RESULTS: Twenty-one cohorts on physical activity and cognitive decline and twenty-six cohorts on physical activity and dementia were included. Meta-analysis, using the quality-effects model, suggests that participants with higher levels of physical activity, when compared to those with lower levels, are at reduced risk of cognitive decline, RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.55-0.76, and dementia, RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.76-0.97. Sensitivity analyses revealed a more conservative estimate of the impact of physical activity on cognitive decline and dementia for high quality studies, studies reporting effect sizes as ORs, greater number of adjustments (≥10), and longer follow-up time (≥10 years). When one heavily weighted study was excluded, physical activity was associated with an 18% reduction in the risk of dementia (RR 0.82; 0.73-0.91). CONCLUSIONS: Longitudinal observational studies show an association between higher levels of physical activity and a reduced risk of cognitive decline and dementia. A case can be made for a causal interpretation. Future research should use objective measures of physical activity, adjust for the full range of confounders and have adequate follow-up length. Ideally, randomised controlled trials will be conducted. Regardless of any effect on cognition, physical activity should be encouraged, as it has been shown to be beneficial on numerous levels.

Measuring the Prevalence of Mental Disorders in Adolescents in Kenya, Indonesia, and Vietnam: Study Protocol for the National Adolescent Mental Health Surveys.

PURPOSE: In low- and middle-income countries, there are limited data on mental disorders among adolescents. To address this gap, the National Adolescent Mental Health Surveys (NAMHS) will provide nationally representative prevalence data of mental disorders among adolescents in Kenya, Indonesia, and Vietnam. This paper details the NAMHS study protocol. METHODS: In each country, a multistage stratified cluster sampling design will be used. Participants will be eligible pairs of adolescents aged 10-17 years and their primary caregiver. Adolescents will be assessed for social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children, version 5. Demographics, risk and protective factors, and service use information will also be collected. In the parallel clinical calibration study, diagnoses of major depressive disorder, social phobia, and generalized anxiety disorder made using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children, version 5 will be calibrated against a diagnostic assessment by in-country clinicians in a separate sample. RESULTS: Data collection for the national survey and clinical calibration study will commence in 2021, with dissemination of findings and methodology due to occur in 2022. CONCLUSIONS: Accurately quantifying the prevalence of mental disorders in adolescents is essential for service planning. NAMHS will address this lack of prevalence data, both within the NAMHS countries and within their respective regions, while establishing a gold-standard methodology for data collection on adolescent mental health in low- and middle-income countries. More broadly, NAMHS will encourage capacity building within each country by establishing linkages between researcher, clinician, government, and other networks.

Research protocol: a realist synthesis of cross-border patient mobility from low-income and middle-income countries.

INTRODUCTION: People are increasingly mobile for numerous reasons, including healthcare. Patient mobility has vast implications for individuals, communities and whole populations and yet, to date, research on patient mobility has been quite limited. Only a small body of evidence exists on patient mobility between low-income and middle-income countries, instead having focused primarily on cross-border movement between high-income and low-income countries. In this paper, we present a protocol for examining this under-studied phenomenon. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We propose to examine patient mobility between low-income and middle-income countries using a realist synthesis approach. Specifically, we aim to document why patients from low-income and middle-income countries cross international borders for healthcare, by identifying the mechanisms through which patients decide to cross-borders, and the contextual characteristics of domestic health markets that influence this choice. An underlying theory was established, based on the lead author's experience and a brief literature review, which will provide the basis to analyse search results in a subsequent paper. Search results will be obtained from databases (Ovid Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, EconLit, Web of Science) and the grey literature. An expert committee will be enlisted, prior to screening results, to review search results to ensure comprehensiveness. Based on this preliminary theory, we propose that, in some low-income and middle-income country markets, the interaction between demand-side and supply-side determinants results in market imperfections that, in turn, lead to patient movement across borders. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study does not involve primary research and, therefore, does not require formal ethical approval; we do, however, follow the relevant standards of utility, usefulness, feasibility, propriety, accuracy and accountability. The standards of realist and meta-narrative evidence synthesis (RAMESES) will be adhered to in reporting the findings of the review. Once completed, the findings of the resulting manuscript will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: This protocol has been registered with PROSPERO, registration number CRD42014014391.