Local perceptions of the impact of group interpersonal psychotherapy in rural Uganda

R E Lewandowski; P A Bolton; A Feighery; J Bass; C Hamba; E Haroz; V Stavrou; L Ndogoni; A Jean-Pierre; H Verdeli

doi:10.1017/gmh.2016.15

Local perceptions of the impact of group interpersonal psychotherapy in rural Uganda

Glob Ment Health (Camb). 2016 Jul 27:3:e23. doi: 10.1017/gmh.2016.15. eCollection 2016.

Authors

R E Lewandowski¹, P A Bolton², A Feighery³, J Bass⁴, C Hamba⁵, E Haroz⁴, V Stavrou⁶, L Ndogoni⁷, A Jean-Pierre⁸, H Verdeli⁸

Affiliations

¹ Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University, 1 Park Avenue, 7th Floor Reception, New York, NY, USA.
² Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, USA.
³ Department of Health and Behavior Studies, Teachers College, Columbia University, 525 West 120th Street, New York, NY, USA.
⁴ Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, USA.
⁵ World Vision Uganda, Plot 15B, Nakasero Road, P.O. Box 5319 Kampala, Uganda.
⁶ Columbia Group for Children in Adversity, 5 River Road, Suite 116 Wilton, CT, USA.
⁷ World Vision East Africa Regional Office, P.O. Box 133 - 00502 Karen, Nairobi, Kenya.
⁸ Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, 525 West 120th Street, New York, NY, USA.

Abstract

Background: This study investigated local perceptions of changes stemming from a long-standing Group Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT-G) program for the treatment of depression in rural Uganda. The study was conducted in a low-income, severely HIV/AIDS-affected area where in 2001 the prevalence of depression was estimated at 21% among adults.

Method: Data were collected using free-listing and key informant qualitative interviews. A convenience sample of 60 free-list respondents was selected from among IPT-G participants, their families, and other community members from 10 Ugandan villages. Twenty-two key informants and six IPT-G facilitators were also interviewed.

Results: Content analysis yielded five primary categories of change in the community related to the IPT-G program: (1) improved school attendance for children; (2) improved productivity; (3) improved sanitation in communities; (4) greater cohesion among community members; and (5) reduced conflict in families. Community members and IPT-G facilitators suggested that as depression remitted, IPT-G participants became more hopeful, motivated and productive.

Conclusion: Results suggest that providing treatment for depression in communities with high depression prevalence rates may lead to positive changes in a range of non-mental health outcomes.

Keywords: Community; Uganda; community impact; depression; education; group interpersonal psychotherapy; low and middle-income countries (LMICs); rapid ethnographic assessment.