Using Mobile Health and Nurse Visits to Improve Care for Adults with Serious Mental Illness in West African Prayer Camps

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to improve care for people with serious mental illness in West Africa, particularly those receiving treatment at traditional prayer camps. It evaluates a combined intervention involving a mobile health program and nurse-delivered pharmacotherapy. The study uses a stepped-wedge cluster randomized design to compare current care with the new intervention, focusing on psychiatric and depressive symptoms. The intervention includes a visiting nurse who provides medications directly to patients at the prayer camps. Additionally, camp staff receive training through a smartphone app called M-Healer, which supports delivery of psychosocial treatments, monitors patient health, and promotes human rights. Participants initially receive enhanced usual care, followed by gradual introduction of the full intervention across groups. Participants will be assessed at the start, mid-point 4 weeks, and end 8 weeks of the study to track changes in psychiatric and depressive symptoms. Data collection and monitoring will help evaluate the interventions impact. The total study duration extends until May 2027, allowing thorough observation and follow-up during and after the intervention periods.

Combining mHealth and Nurse-delivered Care to Improve the Outcomes of People With Serious Mental Illness in West Africa