Development of a district mental healthcare plan in Uganda.
Kigozi, Fred N;
Kizza, Dorothy;
Nakku, Juliet;
Ssebunnya, Joshua;
Ndyanabangi, Sheila;
Nakiganda, Blandina;
Lund, Crick;
Patel, Vikram;
(2015)
Development of a district mental healthcare plan in Uganda.
The British journal of psychiatry, 208 Su (Suppl ).
s40-s46.
ISSN 0007-1250
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.114.153742
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BACKGROUND: Evidence is needed for the integration of mental health into primary care advocated by the national health sector strategic investment plan in Uganda. AIMS: To describe the processes of developing a district mental healthcare plan (MHCP) in rural Uganda that facilitates integration of mental health into primary care. METHOD: Mixed methods using a situational analysis, qualitative studies, theory of change workshops and partial piloting of the plan at two levels informed the MHCP. RESULTS: A MHCP was developed with packages of care to facilitate integration at the organisational, facility and community levels of the district health system, including a specified human resource mix. The partial embedding period supports its practical application. Key barriers to scaling up the plan were identified. CONCLUSIONS: A real-world plan for the district was developed with involvement of stakeholders. Pilot testing demonstrated its feasibility and implications for future scaling up.