Thinking Healthy Program-Technology Assisted (THP-TA) (THP-TA)
Perinatal Depression, Depression, Postpartum
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Perinatal Depression focused on measuring Perinatal depression, Perinatal anxiety, perinatal mental health conditions, electronic CBT, CBT, task shifting, low-resourced settings, task sharing, Thinking Healthy Programme, LMIC, Technology-assisted, peers, community health workers
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Pregnant women with current major depressive episode in their second or third trimester (4 to 8 months of pregnancy).
- Aged 18 years and above
- Intent to stay in the study area for at least 1 year.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Women requiring inpatient care for any reason (medical or psychiatric) as determined by their primary health care professional
- Those who do not comprehend Urdu language will be excluded.
Sites / Locations
- Human Development Research FoundationRecruiting
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
Technology assisted Thinking Healthy Program delivered by peers
Standard Thinking Healthy Program delivered by community health workers
A technology adapted version of the Thinking Healthy Program (THP) delivered by peers using multimedia android based app. The bespoke android app leverages human-centered design and makes use of 2-d videos demonstrating narrative scripts delivered by culturally appropriate animated avatars representing depressed mothers, families, peers and mental health experts. It is designed as a low intensity psychosocial multicomponent intervention based on cognitive behavioral approaches. The THP improves depression through psychoeducation, behavior activation, thought challenging, improving problem solving skills and by activating social support networks. The intervention program comprises of 8 sessions delivered by trained peers.
The Thinking Healthy Programme (THP) is a CBT-based manualised paper version of the intervention targeting women with perinatal depression in low socioeconomic settings. The CBT techniques include guided discovery using illustrated brief vignettes, behavioural activation, and problem solving. Non-specific techniques include empathic listening and promoting social support from key family members for the mother in negotiating challenges during the perinatal period. This intervention programme is paper based utilizing reference manual, health calendar and job aid as tools for delivering content. The intervention employs these techniques to improve outcomes in three areas: maternal well-being, mother-infant interaction and relationship with significant others. The intervention consists of 8 core sessions starting in the second or third trimester of pregnancy and continuing to 3 months postnatal.