TOPOWA: Understanding how social factors affect mental illness in AGYW in Kampala
Official title: TOPOWA Study: Social Drivers of Mental Illness among AGYW in Slums
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-11518848 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study is testing if targeted socioeconomic training helps 18–24 year-old young women in urban Kampala cope with poverty-related stress and mental health symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $180,520 |
| NIH project number | 3R01MH128930-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11518848 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are AGYW aged 18–24 living in urban informal settlements who participate in or have access to SeSTT-type programs.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not experiencing poverty-related stress or not part of SeSTT programs may have limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project will use mixed methods to explore how Socioeconomic Strengthening Targeted Training (SeSTT) may weaken the link between poverty and mental illness among young women aged 18–24 living in urban informal settlements of Kampala, Uganda. Researchers will integrate qualitative insights with quantitative data guided by multilevel and RDoC frameworks to understand social and biological pathways. The study is conducted at Virginia Commonwealth University with local partners, and it targets real-world conditions where poverty, stress, and community programs intersect. Participants will contribute through interviews, surveys, and possibly related health data collection to illuminate resilience mechanisms and potential intervention points. The findings aim to inform scalable strategies for reducing mental health burden and associated costs in low-resource urban settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could inform scalable social and behavioral interventions to improve mental health and reduce costs for young women living in urban-poor settings.
How similar studies have gone: Previous limited data suggest SeSTT can improve employment and mental health, but more evidence is needed in urban African settings.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Swahn, Monica H — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Swahn, Monica H
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.