Support and care for people with psychosocial disabilities in Africa
SUCCEED Africa: Protocol for a Multi-method Pilot Study of a Community-based Intervention for People With Psychosis in West and Southeast Africa
This study is testing a new community support program for adults with psychotic disorders in sub-Saharan Africa to see if it can help them manage their symptoms and improve their social lives.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Academic / other |
| Locations | 4 sites (Blantyre, Southern and 3 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06007105 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This initiative aims to provide comprehensive community-based interventions for individuals experiencing psychotic disorders in sub-Saharan Africa. It focuses on addressing not only the clinical symptoms of conditions like schizophrenia and delusional disorder but also the social challenges faced by these individuals, such as poverty and unemployment. The program is designed to empower participants through peer support and co-production, ensuring that interventions are culturally appropriate and accessible. The study will involve participants who are adults with a diagnosis of psychosis, utilizing both health records and diagnostic interviews for eligibility.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with a current or past diagnosis of a primary psychotic disorder who can communicate in one of the study's main languages.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder or who are unable to participate due to language barriers may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly improve the quality of life and social integration for individuals with psychotic disorders in low-resource settings.
How similar studies have performed: While there have been few studies focusing on community-based rehabilitation for psychosocial disabilities in Africa, this approach is largely novel and aims to fill a significant gap in the existing literature.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Participants with lived experience of psychosis must: * Be consenting/assenting adults (age 18+) * Be able to speak one of the main study languages: English, Chichewa, Krio, Shona, Yoruba * Live within the pilot study area * Have a current or past diagnosis of schizophrenia or other primary psychotic disorder, bipolar or depressive disorder with psychotic symptoms, or a maternal mental health or behavioural disorder with psychotic symptoms, as per the World Health Organisation's International Classification of Diseases Version 11 (see full list of eligible diagnoses, below). For participants recruited from within the health care system, diagnosis will be confirmed from health records. For those identified in the community, a research worker will administer the World Health Organisation's Composite International Diagnostic Interview (WHO CIDI) screening tool for psychosis. The following diagnoses are eligible for inclusion: * Schizophrenia (6A20) * Schizoaffective disorder (6A21) * Schizotypal disorder (6A22) * Acute and transient psychotic disorder (6A23) * Delusional disorder (6A24) * Other specified (6A2Y) or unspecified (6A2Z) primary psychotic disorder * Bipolar type I disorder with psychotic symptoms (6A60.1, 6A60.5, 6A60.7, 6A60.A) * Bipolar type II disorder with psychotic symptoms (6A61.3, 6A61.5) * Single episode depressive disorder with psychotic symptoms (6A70.2, 6A70.4) * Recurrent depressive disorder with psychotic symptoms (6A71.2, 6A71.4) * Mental or behavioural disorder associated with pregnancy, childbirth or the puerperium, with psychotic symptoms (6E21) Exclusion Criteria: * People who are currently homeless, for logistical reasons; the SUCCEED intervention relies on PSWs and CSWs being able to regularly contact participants, including for home visits. * People with secondary psychotic syndromes (6E61), as these are considered to be the direct consequences of physical health conditions as opposed to mental health conditions. * People diagnosed with a substance-induced psychotic disorder (6C40.6-6C47.6), as recovery from substance use conditions is a specialist area outside the scope of the SUCCEED intervention under development.
Where this trial is running
Blantyre, Southern and 3 other locations
- Kamuzu University of Health Sciences — Blantyre, Southern, Malawi (Not_yet_recruiting)
- University of Ibadan — Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria (Not_yet_recruiting)
- University of Makeni — Makeni, Northen Province, Sierra Leone (Recruiting)
- University of Zimbabwe — Harare, North East, Zimbabwe (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Professor Thomas Shakespeare — London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
- Study coordinator: Dr Julian Eaton
- Email: julian.eaton@lshtm.ac.uk
- Phone: +44 77 11140365
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.