Developing culturally relevant intervention plan for psychological trauma: an application of community based participatory research approach for mental health

Objective: To develop culturally relevant intervention plan for psychological trauma using community based participatory research approach in times of crisis. Study Design: Qualitative study. Place and Duration of Study: Army Public School [APS] Peshawar, from Dec 2014 to May 2015

Material and Methods: The participants included 35 teachers, 60 parents and 5 administrative staff of the Army Public School [APS], Peshawar Pakistan, who participated in the consultative group meetings over a period of 6 months starting from a week after the APS attack on December 16[th], 2014. The participants through a collaborative process identified the community needs, priorities and resources. The goal was to generate realistic intervention plan which can be implemented and widely accepted by the community. Data, based on the discussions in group meetings were transcribed and analyzed for themes and developing intervention plan

Results: The participatory research approach with the community helped design the culturally sensitive intervention plan for the trauma stabilization of the affected community. The study design was helpful in addressing the needs assessed; restoring sense of safety, respecting the emotional needs as per cultural norms and helping the community reconnect and resume normal functioning

Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of adopting a culturally sensitive approach and including community in designing and delivering the intervention for psychological trauma

relationship between self-reported and clinician rated assessment of depression in clinically depressed patients

Objective: The study examines the relationship between a clinician rated measure Hamilton Rating Depression Scale [HRSD] and indigenously developed self-reported Siddiqui-Shah Depression Scale [SSDS] in clinically depressed and matched control group

Study Design: Correlational design

Place and Duration of Study: Data was collected over a span of 6 month from Department of Psychiatry Pakistan Naval Ship [PNS] Shifa Karachi and Combined Military Hospital [CMH] Malir, Karachi

Material and Methods: A purposive sample of forty-seven patients from psychiatry department and thirty-six participants in the matched group were first screened on DSM-IV criteria independently by a psychologist, and then assessed on HRSD by the psychiatrist followed by assessment of depression on SSDS by the participants

Results: SSDS has significant relationship with HRSD for both matched group [r=.74, p<.001] and depressed group [r=.38, p<.01]. SSDS also indicates moderate sensitivity index [.79] and a significant specificity index [.89]

Conclusion: Self-report measure [SSDS] correlates significantly with clinician rated assessment measure [HRSD]; it also demonstrates psychometric properties to be recommended for screening depression in general practice

Achieving fertility control through woman's autonomy and access to maternal healthcare: are we on track? in-depth analysis of PDHS-2012-13

Background and Objective: Fertility control preferences and maternal healthcare have recently become a major concern for developing nations with evidence suggesting that low fertility control rates and poor maternal healthcare are among major obstructions in ensuring health and social status for women. Our objective was toanalyze the factors that influence women's autonomy, access to maternal healthcare, and fertility control preferences in Pakistan

Methods: Data consisted of 11,761 ever-married women of ages 15-49 years from PDHS, 2012-13. Variables included socio-demographics, women's autonomy, fertility control preferences and access to maternal healthcare

Results: Findings from multivariate analysis showed that women's younger age, having less than three number of children and independent or joint decision-making [indicators of high autonomy] remained the most significant predictors for access to better quality maternal healthcare and better fertility control preferences when other variables were controlled

Conclusion: Women's access to good quality maternal health care and fertility control preferences are directly and indirectly influenced by their demographic characteristics and decision-making patterns in domestic affairs