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. 2016 Dec 19:3:e33.
doi: 10.1017/gmh.2016.28. eCollection 2016.

Developing mental health research in sub-Saharan Africa: capacity building in the AFFIRM project

M Schneider  1 , K Sorsdahl  1 , R Mayston  2 , J Ahrens  3 , D Chibanda  4 , A Fekadu  5 , C Hanlon  2   5 , S Holzer  3 , S Musisi  6 , A Ofori-Atta  7 , G Thornicroft  2 , M Prince  2 , A Alem  5 , E Susser  8 , C Lund  1
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Developing mental health research in sub-Saharan Africa: capacity building in the AFFIRM project

M Schneider et al. Glob Ment Health (Camb). .

Abstract

Background: There remains a large disparity in the quantity, quality and impact of mental health research carried out in sub-Saharan Africa, relative to both the burden and the amount of research carried out in other regions. We lack evidence on the capacity-building activities that are effective in achieving desired aims and appropriate methodologies for evaluating success.

Methods: AFFIRM was an NIMH-funded hub project including a capacity-building program with three components open to participants across six countries: (a) fellowships for an M.Phil. program; (b) funding for Ph.D. students conducting research nested within AFFIRM trials; (c) short courses in specialist research skills. We present findings on progression and outputs from the M.Phil. and Ph.D. programs, self-perceived impact of short courses, qualitative data on student experience, and reflections on experiences and lessons learnt from AFFIRM consortium members.

Results: AFFIRM delivered funded research training opportunities to 25 mental health professionals, 90 researchers and five Ph.D. students across 6 countries over a period of 5 years. A number of challenges were identified and suggestions for improving the capacity-building activities explored.

Conclusions: Having protected time for research is a barrier to carrying out research activities for busy clinicians. Funders could support sustainability of capacity-building initiatives through funds for travel and study leave. Adoption of a train-the-trainers model for specialist skills training and strategies for improving the rigor of evaluation of capacity-building activities should be considered.

Keywords: AFFIRM; Teaching and Learning; capacity building; low- and middle-income countries; mental health research; sub-Saharan Africa.

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