Supporting CHWs To Deliver Mental Health and NCD Care

July 26, 2024 -

Through a 5-year implementation research project funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, we are conducting a stepped-wedge randomized controlled trial to evaluate a combined behavioral intervention called BECOME. This project is a collaborative effort between the University of California, San Francisco, Wheaton College, the Ministry of Health and Population, the Nursing and Social Security Division (NSSD), the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD), Chandragiri Municipality, and Bardibas Municipality.

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Common Mental Health Conditions (CMHCs) often coexist. Behavioral risk factors such as stress, isolation, tobacco use, low physical activity, poor diet, and poor treatment adherence are linked to both. An intervention addressing these risk factors could potentially improve both NCDs and CMHCs. In alignment with this recommendation, since 2023, Possible, this intervention addresses CMHCs and NCDs at the community level using locally trusted, salaried, full-time employed, trained, supervised, and digitally enabled Community Health Workers (CHWs).

Our dedicated team of Research Outcome Assessors (ROAs) is reaching out to potential participants and conducting home visits to perform screenings and administer baseline and follow-up assessments in Chandragiri and Bardibas Municipalities. In every assessment, our ROAs also measure fasting blood glucose and blood pressure after obtaining voluntary informed consent. We are truly overwhelmed by the positive responses received from the community.