Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 and up

Improving mental health care in West Africa using mobile health and nurse support

Official title: Combining mHealth and Nurse-delivered Care to Improve the Outcomes of People With Serious Mental Illness in West Africa

Run by University of Washington · NCT05703711 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing whether a new approach that combines nurse support and a mobile health app can improve mental health care for people with serious mental illnesses in Ghanaian prayer camps.

More Depression trials

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment360 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Washington
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Accra)
StatusRecruiting
StartedOctober 25, 2023
Main results expectedMay 31, 2027
Study endsMay 31, 2027
Registry record updatedJuly 25, 2024
Trial IDNCT05703711 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older who are currently inpatients at prayer camps and diagnosed with psychosis, mania, or depression.

Probably not a fit

Patients with serious physical illnesses requiring urgent medical attention may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study evaluates a dual-pronged intervention in Ghanaian prayer camps where traditional healers provide care for serious mental illnesses like psychosis, mania, and depression. The intervention includes a visiting nurse who delivers medications directly to patients and a mobile health app called M-Healer that trains staff on psychosocial interventions and patient monitoring. The study uses a stepped-wedge cluster randomized design, allowing all participant groups to receive enhanced usual care before transitioning to the experimental intervention. Data will be collected at various stages to assess changes in psychiatric symptoms.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve mental health outcomes for individuals with serious mental illness in West Africa.

How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promise in integrating mobile health technologies with traditional care models, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged 18 years or older
* Speaks Twi or English
* Current inpatient staying at a study prayer camp
* A diagnosis of psychosis, mania, or depression

Exclusion Criteria:

* Serious physical illness or in need of urgent medical attention

Where it's running

  • University of Ghana
    Accra, Ghana
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Dror Ben-Zeev, PhD — University of Washington
  • Study coordinator: Dror Ben-Zeev, PhD
  • Email: dbenzeev@uw.edu
  • Phone: 206-685-9655

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.