TY - JOUR
T1 - Adaptation and implementation of the multiple-family group intervention in Ghana
AU - Asampong, Emmanuel
AU - Ibrahim, Abdallah
AU - Sensoy-Bahar, Ozge
AU - Kumbelim, Kingsley
AU - Yaro, Peter B.
AU - McKay, Mary M.
AU - Ssewamala, Fred M.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 American Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.
PY - 2021/5
Y1 - 2021/5
N2 - Background: The health system in Ghana is severely underequipped to meet the needs of children with behavioral health problems. A substantial treatment gap exists among individuals with behavioral challenges, necessitating the implementation of an evidence-based intervention to address child behavioral challenges in Ghana. This article presents learning opportunities from the adaptation and initiation process of an evidence-based approach, the multiple-family group (MFG) intervention, aimed at addressing child behavioral challenges in northern Ghana. Methods: The MFG intervention will be tested and implemented in three schools selected through a clustered randomization process, with 60 child-caregiver dyads per school. Each school will be assigned to MFG delivery by parent peers, MFG delivery by School Health Education Program (SHEP) coordinators, or an intervention where students are supplied only with mental health wellness materials and educational supports. The providers will be assessed on a fidelity measure. Results: The approach of engaging stakeholders in Ghana is anticipated to prove challenging because multiple partners are involved in MFG implementation. Participants are expected to actively participate, however, given some changes to the protocol to adapt it to the Ghanaian context, including the types of MFG facilitators and sample size. Other anticipated challenges include obtaining permission from key partners such as the education authorities, timing of the study within the academic calendar in Ghana, and meeting the high expectations of school authorities for the study. Next steps: The MFG intervention will be delivered by parent peers and SHEP coordinators at the selected schools.
AB - Background: The health system in Ghana is severely underequipped to meet the needs of children with behavioral health problems. A substantial treatment gap exists among individuals with behavioral challenges, necessitating the implementation of an evidence-based intervention to address child behavioral challenges in Ghana. This article presents learning opportunities from the adaptation and initiation process of an evidence-based approach, the multiple-family group (MFG) intervention, aimed at addressing child behavioral challenges in northern Ghana. Methods: The MFG intervention will be tested and implemented in three schools selected through a clustered randomization process, with 60 child-caregiver dyads per school. Each school will be assigned to MFG delivery by parent peers, MFG delivery by School Health Education Program (SHEP) coordinators, or an intervention where students are supplied only with mental health wellness materials and educational supports. The providers will be assessed on a fidelity measure. Results: The approach of engaging stakeholders in Ghana is anticipated to prove challenging because multiple partners are involved in MFG implementation. Participants are expected to actively participate, however, given some changes to the protocol to adapt it to the Ghanaian context, including the types of MFG facilitators and sample size. Other anticipated challenges include obtaining permission from key partners such as the education authorities, timing of the study within the academic calendar in Ghana, and meeting the high expectations of school authorities for the study. Next steps: The MFG intervention will be delivered by parent peers and SHEP coordinators at the selected schools.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85104305300&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1176/appi.ps.201900626
DO - 10.1176/appi.ps.201900626
M3 - Article
C2 - 33430647
AN - SCOPUS:85104305300
SN - 1075-2730
VL - 72
SP - 571
EP - 577
JO - Psychiatric Services
JF - Psychiatric Services
IS - 5
ER -