Tailoring Implementation of a Youth-focused Mental Health Intervention in Sierra Leone Using an Implementation Blueprint Methodology

Overview

Journal BMC Public Health

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty Public Health

Date 2024 Dec 19

PMID 39696187

Authors

Alethea Desrosiers

Bidemi Carrol

Jacqueline Hayes

Fatoma Momoh

Haley Ritsema

Hannah E Frank

Unisa Jalloh

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Identifying contextual factors that might support or hinder implementation of evidence-based mental health interventions for youth in low- and middle- income countries may improve implementation success by increasing the alignment of intervention implementation with local needs and resources. This study engaged community partners in Sierra Leone to: (a) investigate barriers and facilitators to implementing a mental health intervention within Sierra Leone's schools; (b) develop an implementation blueprint to address identified implementation barriers; (c) explore the feasibility of using the implementation blueprint methodology in Sierra Leone.

Methods: We recruited Ministry of Education Officials (n = 2), teachers (n = 15) and principals (n = 15) in Sierra Leone to participate in needs assessment qualitative interviews. We used a rapid qualitative analysis approach to analyze data. Three team members summarized transcripts based on domains aligned with the structured research questions, organized themes into a matrix, and identified and discussed key themes to arrive at consensus. We then reconvened community partners to discuss implementation strategies that could address identified barriers. Participants ranked barriers according to high/low feasibility and high/low importance and selected implementation strategies for the blueprint.

Results: Qualitative results revealed several implementation barriers: teacher/parent/student buy-in; teacher motivation; scheduling time; limited funding; waning interest; daily hardships outside of school. Strategies selected included: develop/distribute educational materials; conduct education meetings/outreach; identify and prepare champions; access new funding.

Conclusions: Engaging community partners to develop an implementation blueprint for integration of a mental health intervention within Sierra Leone's schools was feasible and may increase implementation effectiveness.

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