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Grimes KEL, Ebasone PV, Dzudie A, Nash D, Wainberg ML, Pence BW, Barrington C, Pefura E, Yotebieng M, Anastos K, Nsame D, Ajeh R, Nyenti A, Parcesepe AM. Factors influencing integration of mental health screening and treatment at HIV clinic settings in Cameroon: a qualitative study of health providers' perspectives. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:519. [PMID: 38658992 PMCID: PMC11044447 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-10775-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mental disorders are common among people with HIV (PWH) and are associated with poor HIV outcomes. Despite high unmet mental health needs among PWH, use of evidence-based mental health screening and treatment protocols remains limited at HIV treatment facilities across low-resource settings. Integrating mental health services into HIV care can reduce this gap. This study's objective was to explore factors that influence integration of mental health screening and treatment into HIV clinics in Cameroon. METHODS We analyzed 14 in-depth interviews with clinic staff supporting PWH at three urban HIV treatment clinics in Cameroon. Interviews focused on current processes, barriers and facilitators, and types of support needed to integrate mental health care into HIV care. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. French transcripts were translated into English. We used thematic analysis to identify factors that influence integration of mental health screening and treatment into HIV care in these settings. Ethical review boards in the United States and Cameroon approved this study. RESULTS Respondents discussed a lack of standardized mental health screening processes in HIV treatment facilities and generally felt ill-equipped to conduct mental health screening. Low community awareness about mental disorders, mental health-related stigma, limited physical space, and high clinic volume affected providers' ability to screen clients for mental disorders. Providers indicated that better coordination and communication were needed to support client referral to mental health care. Despite these barriers, providers were motivated to screen clients for mental disorders and believed that mental health service provision could improve quality of HIV care and treatment outcomes. All providers interviewed said they would feel more confident screening for mental disorders with additional training and resources. Providers recommended community sensitization, training or hiring additional staff, improved coordination to manage referrals, and leadership buy-in at multiple levels of the health system to support sustainable integration of mental health screening and treatment into HIV clinics in Cameroon. CONCLUSIONS Providers reported enthusiasm to integrate mental health services into HIV care but need more support and training to do so in an effective and sustainable manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn E L Grimes
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | | | - Anastase Dzudie
- Clinical Research Education Networking and Consultancy, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Denis Nash
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Milton L Wainberg
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brian W Pence
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Clare Barrington
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Marcel Yotebieng
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Kathryn Anastos
- Departments of Medicine and Epidemiology & Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Denis Nsame
- Bamenda Regional Hospital, Bamenda, Cameroon
| | - Rogers Ajeh
- Clinical Research Education Networking and Consultancy, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | | | - Angela M Parcesepe
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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