Adolescent mental health research in Tanzania - a study protocol for a priority setting exercise and the development of an inter-institutional capacity strengthening programme.

Obasi, Angela ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6801-8889, Seekles, Maaike ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7000-3624, Boshe, Judith, Dow, Dorothy, Mmbaga, Blandina, Ngakongwa, Fileuka, Okello, Elialilia, Renju, Jenny, Shayo, Elizabeth, Simbee, Gema, Todd, Tim and Oriyo, Ndekya (2022) 'Adolescent mental health research in Tanzania - a study protocol for a priority setting exercise and the development of an inter-institutional capacity strengthening programme.'. BMJ Open, Vol 12, Issue 2, e054163.

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Abstract

Introduction
Poor adolescent mental health is a barrier to achieving several sustainable development goals in Tanzania, where adolescent mental health infrastructure is weak. This is compounded by a lack of community and policy maker awareness or understanding of its burden, causes and solutions. Research addressing these knowledge gaps is urgently needed. However, capacity for adolescent mental health research in Tanzania remains limited. The existence of a National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), with a nationwide mandate for research conduct and oversight, presents an opportunity to catalyse activity in this neglected area. Rigorous research priority setting, which includes key stakeholders, can promote efficient use of limited resources and improve both quality and uptake of research by ensuring that it meets the needs of target populations and policy makers. We present a protocol for such a research priority setting study and how it informs the design of an inter-institutional adolescent mental health research capacity strengthening strategy in Tanzania.
Methods and analysis
From May 2021, this six-month mixed-methods study will adapt and merge the James Lind Alliance approach and validated capacity strengthening methodologies to identify priorities for research and research capacity strengthening in adolescent mental health in Tanzania. Specifically, it will use online questionnaires, face-to-face interviews, focus groups, scoping reviews and a consensus meeting to consult expert and adolescent stakeholders. Key evidence-informed priorities will be collaboratively ranked and documented and an integrated strategy to address capacity gaps will be designed to align with the nationwide infrastructure and overall strategy of NIMR.
Ethics and Dissemination
National and Institutional review board approvals were sought and granted from the National Health Research Ethics Committee of the NIMR Medical Research Coordinating Committee (Tanzania) and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (United Kingdom). Results will be disseminated through a national workshop involving all stakeholders, through ongoing collaborations and published commentaries, reviews, policy briefs, webinars and social media.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	WA Public Health > WA 30 Socioeconomic factors in public health (General) WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 320 Child Welfare. Child Health Services. WM Psychiatry > WM 20 Research (General) WS Pediatrics > By Age Groups > WS 460 Adolescence (General)
Faculty: Department:	Clinical Sciences & International Health > International Public Health Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054163
Depositing User:	Debbie Jenkins
Date Deposited:	10 Mar 2022 14:24
Last Modified:	10 Mar 2022 14:24
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/20047

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