Browsing by Author "Richters, Annemiek"

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    Community based sociotherapy for depressive symptomatology of Congolese refugees in Rwanda and Uganda (CoSTAR): a protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial
    (Informa UK Limited, 2023-01-20) Kagabo, Daniel M.; Bangirana, Paul; Burnside, Girvan; Chiumento, Anna; Duarte, Rui; Gishoma, Darius; Girvan, Michelle; Jansen, Angela; Jansen, Stefan; Kasujja, Rosco; Lubunga, Rachel; Nevitt, Sarah; Nzaramba, Lucie; Sarabwe, Emmanuel; Jackson, Clare; Rahman, Atif; Richters, Annemiek; Robinson, Jude; Rutayisire, Theoneste; Ventevogel, Peter; White, Ross G.
    Background: Conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo has led to large numbers of refugees fleeing to Uganda and Rwanda. Refugees experience elevated levels of adverse events and daily stressors, which are associated with common mental health difficulties such as depression. The current cluster randomised controlled trial aims to investigate whether an adapted form of Community-based Sociotherapy (aCBS) is effective and cost-effective in reducing depressive symptomatology experienced by Congolese refugees in Uganda and Rwanda. Methods: A two-arm, single-blind cluster randomised controlled trial (cRCT) will be conducted in Kyangwali settlement, Uganda and Gihembe camp, Rwanda. Sixty-four clusters will be recruited and randomly assigned to either aCBS or Enhanced Care As Usual (ECAU). aCBS, a 15-session group-based intervention, will be facilitated by two people drawn from the refugee communities. The primary outcome measure will be self-reported levels of depressive symptomatology (PHQ-9) at 18-weeks post-randomisation. Secondary outcomes will include levels of mental health difficulties, subjective wellbeing, post-displacement stress, perceived social support, social capital, quality of life, and PTSD symptoms at 18-week and 32-week post-randomisation. Cost effectiveness of aCBS will be measured in terms of health care costs (cost per Disability Adjusted Life Year, DALY) compared to ECAU. A process evaluation will be undertaken to investigate the implementation of aCBS. Conclusion: This cRCT will be the first investigating aCBS for mental health difficulties experienced by refugees and will contribute to knowledge about the use of psychosocial interventions for refugees at a time when levels of forced migration are at a record high.
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    Primary school children’s perspectives on common diseases and medicines used: implications for school healthcare programmes and priority setting in Uganda
    (African health sciences, 2007) Akello, Grace; Reis, Ria; Ovuga, Emilio; Rwabukwali, Charles B.; Kabonesa, Consolata; Richters, Annemiek
    Existing school health programmes in Uganda target children above five years for de-worming, oral hygiene and frequent vaccination of girls of reproductive age. Objective: To assess primary school children’s perspectives on common diseases they experience and medicines used in order to suggest reforms for school healthcare programmes and priority setting. Methods: Rapid appraisal approaches, triangulated with a survey, using a semi-structured questionnaire with 80 children aged 8-15 years, were used in data collection. This was done during a three months fieldwork in one primary boarding school in Kampala. An investigation was made into perspectives of children on their recent illness experiences and medicines they used to recover. Other techniques in data collection included participant observation and eliciting children’s narratives of diseases they experienced in a two weeks recall. Key informants, who included school teachers, a nurse, 2 paediatricians, 4 matrons and private health service providers in the vicinity of the school, were approached to validate children’s narratives. Results: Children named and ranked malaria as the most severe and frequently experienced disease. Other diseases mentioned included diarrhoea, skin fungal infections, flu, and typhoid. The symptoms children recognised in case of illness were high body temperature, vomiting, headache, weakness, appetite loss and diarrhoea. Children were either given medicines by the school nurse or they selfmedicated using pharmaceuticals including chloroquine, panadol, flagyl, fansidar, quinine injections, capsules (amoxicillin and ampicillin) obtained from the clinics, drug shops, pharmacies, and other unspecified indigenous medicines from their home and markets. Conclusion: The healthcare needs and priorities of children in primary school are infectious diseases which they could readily identify.
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    Reintegration of former child soldiers in northern Uganda: Coming to terms with children's agency and accountability
    (Intervention, 2006) Akello, Grace; Richters, Annemiek; Reis, Ria
    Reintegration processes of formerly abducted children have yielded limited success in northern Uganda. The article seeks answers to the question why reintegration processes in the area have failed. The approach of one Christian non-governmental organization towards reintegration is compared with the ideas and strategies of formerly abducted child soldiers and people in their communities on how best to deal with their violent past.