The Shamiri Group Intervention for Adolescent Anxiety and Depression: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial of A Lay-Provider-Delivered, School-Based Intervention in Kenya
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Date
2020
Authors
Osborn, Tom L.
Venturo-Conerly, Katherine E.
Wasil, Akash R.
Rodriguez, Micaela
Roe, Elizabeth
Alemu, Rediet
Arango, Susan
Gan, Jenny
Wasanga, Christine
Schleider, Jessica L.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BioMed Central (BMC)
Abstract
Background: Developing low-cost, socio-culturally appropriate, and scalable interventions for youth depression and
anxiety symptoms in low-income regions such as countries in sub-Saharan Africa is a global mental health priority.
We developed and intend to evaluate one such intervention for adolescent depression and anxiety in Kenya. The
intervention, named Shamiri (a Swahili word for “thrive”), draws upon evidence-based components of brief
interventions that involve nonclinical principles rather than treatment of psychopathology (e.g., growth mindset,
gratitude, and virtues).
Methods: Four hundred twenty Kenyan adolescents (ages 13–18) with clinically elevated depression and/or anxiety
symptoms will be randomized to either the 4-week Shamiri group intervention or a group study-skills control
intervention of equal duration and dosage. Participating adolescents will meet in groups of 8–15, led by a highschool
graduate trained to deliver Shamiri as a lay-provider. Adolescents will self-report primary outcome measures
(depression—measured by the PHQ-8, and anxiety symptoms—measured by the GAD-7) and secondary outcome
measures (perceived social support, perceived academic control, self-reported optimism and happiness, loneliness,
and academic grades) at the 2-week intervention midpoint, 4-week post-intervention endpoint, and 2-week postintervention
follow-up. We predict that adolescents in the Shamiri group, when compared to the study-skills control
group, will show greater improvements in primary outcomes and secondary outcomes.
Discussion: Results may suggest that a brief, lay-provider delivered, school-based intervention may reduce
depression and anxiety symptoms, improving academic outcomes and other psychosocial outcomes in
adolescents with clinically-elevated symptoms in sub-Saharan Africa
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Adolescents, Sub-Saharan Africa, Global mental health, Depression, Anxiety, Shamiri
Citation
Osborn, T. L., Venturo-Conerly, K. E., Wasil, A. R., Rodriguez, M., Roe, E., Alemu, R., ... & Weisz, J. R. (2020). The Shamiri group intervention for adolescent anxiety and depression: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial of a lay-provider-delivered, school-based intervention in Kenya. Trials, 21(1), 1-14.