Publications

External Publications

• Patel V, Saxena S, Lund C, Thornicroft G, Baingana F, Bolton P, Chisholm D, Collins PY, Cooper JL, Eaton J, Herrman H. The Lancet Commission on global mental health and sustainable development. The Lancet. 2018 Oct 27;392(10157):1553-98.
• Gouda HN, Charlson F, Sorsdahl K, Ahmadzada S, Ferrari AJ, Erskine H, Leung J, Santamauro D, Lund C, Aminde LN, Mayosi BM. Burden of non-communicable diseases in sub-Saharan Africa, 1990–2017: results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. The Lancet Global Health. 2019 Oct 1;7(10):e1375-87.
• Charlson FJ, Diminic S, Lund C, Degenhardt L, Whiteford HA. Mental and substance use disorders in sub-Saharan Africa: predictions of epidemiological changes and mental health workforce requirements for the next 40 years. PloS one. 2014 Oct 13;9(10):e110208.
• van Olmen, J., Erwin, E., García-Ulloa, A.C., Meessen, B., Miranda, J.J., Bobrow, K., Iwelunmore, J., Nwaozuru, U., Umeh, C.O., Smith, C. and Harding, C., 2020. Implementation barriers for mHealth for non-communicable diseases management in low and middle income countries: a scoping review and field-based views from implementers. Wellcome Open Research, 5.
• Agarwal, S., LeFevre, A.E., Lee, J., L’engle, K., Mehl, G., Sinha, C. and Labrique, A., 2016. Guidelines for reporting of health interventions using mobile phones: mobile health (mHealth) evidence reporting and assessment (mERA) checklist. bmj, 352.
• Santomauro, D.F., Herrera, A.M.M., Shadid, J., Zheng, P., Ashbaugh, C., Pigott, D.M., Abbafati, C., Adolph, C., Amlag, J.O., Aravkin, A.Y. and Bang-Jensen, B.L., 2021. Global prevalence and burden of depressive and anxiety disorders in 204 countries and territories in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Lancet, 398(10312), pp.1700-1712.
• Rubin R. It Takes an Average of 17 Years for Evidence to Change Practice—the Burgeoning Field of Implementation Science Seeks to Speed Things Up. JAMA. 2023;329(16):1333–1336. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.4387
• Arias D, Saxena S, Verguet S. Quantifying the global burden of mental disorders and their economic value. EClinicalMedicine. 2022 Dec 1;54.
• Nakimuli-Mpungu, E., Musisi, S., Wamala, K., Okello, J., Ndyanabangi, S., Birungi, J., Nanfuka, M., Etukoit, M., Mayora, C., Ssengooba, F. and Mojtabai, R., 2020. Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of group support psychotherapy delivered by trained lay health workers for depression treatment among people with HIV in Uganda: a cluster-randomised trial. The Lancet Global Health, 8(3), pp.e387-e398.

Publications by Our Team

SMART DAPPER Publications

• Levy R, Mathai M, Chatterjee P, Ongeri L, Njuguna S, Onyango D, Akena D, Rota G, Otieno A, Neylan TC, Lukwata H. Implementation research for public sector mental health care scale-up (SMART-DAPPER): a sequential multiple, assignment randomized trial (SMART) of non-specialist-delivered psychotherapy and/or medication for major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (DAPPER) integrated with outpatient care clinics at a county hospital in Kenya. BMC psychiatry. 2019 Dec;19(1):1-4.
• Meffert, S.M., Mathai, M., Ongeri, L., Neylan, T., Mwai, D., Onyango, D., Akena, D., Rota, G., Otieno, A., Obura, R.R. and Wangia, J., Defining a Screening Tool for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in East Africa: A Penalized Regression Approach. Frontiers in Public Health, 12, p.1383171.
• Getahun M, Mathai MA, Rota G, Allen A, Burger RL, et al. (2024) “The peace that I, I got”: Qualitative insights from patient experiences of SMART DAPPER interventions for major depression and traumatic stress disorders in Kenya. PLOS Global Public Health 4(9): e0002685
• Meffert S, Mathai M, Neylan T, Mwai D, Onyango DO, Rota G, et al. Preference of mHealth versus in-person treatment for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder in Kenya: demographic and clinical characteristics. BMJ Open. 2024 Nov 1;14(11):e083094.
• Crable, E.L., Meffert, S.M., Kenneally, R.G. et al. Multi-sector determinants of implementation and sustainment for non-specialist treatment of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder in Kenya: a concept mapping study. Implement Sci Commun 6, 55 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s43058-025-00744-7

Interpersonal Psychotherapy

• Weissman, M. and Mootz, J. eds., 2024. Interpersonal Psychotherapy: A Global Reach. Oxford University Press.
• Meffert SM, Neylan TC, McCulloch CE, Blum K, Cohen CR, et al. (2021) Interpersonal psychotherapy delivered by nonspecialists for depression and posttraumatic stress disorder among Kenyan HIV–positive women affected by gender-based violence: Randomized controlled trial. PLOS Medicine 18(1): e1003468.
• Opiyo E, Ongeri L, Rota G, Verdeli H, Neylan T, Meffert S. Collaborative Interpersonal Psychotherapy for HIV‐Positive Women in Kenya: A Case Study From the Mental Health, HIV and Domestic Violence (MIND) Study. Journal of clinical psychology. 2016 Aug;72(8):779-83.
• Onu C, Ongeri L, Bukusi E, Cohen CR, Neylan TC, Oyaro P, Rota G, Otewa F, Delucchi KL, Meffert SM. Interpersonal psychotherapy for depression and posttraumatic stress disorder among HIV-positive women in Kisumu, Kenya: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2016 Dec;17(1):64.
• Jiang RF, Tong HQ, Delucchi KL, Neylan TC, Shi Q, Meffert SM. Interpersonal psychotherapy versus treatment as usual for PTSD and depression among Sichuan earthquake survivors: a randomized clinical trial. Conflict and health. 2014 Dec;8(1):14.
• Meffert SM, Abdo AO, Alla OA, Elmakki YO, Omer AA, Yousif S, Metzler TJ, Marmar CR. A pilot randomized controlled trial of interpersonal psychotherapy for Sudanese refugees in Cairo, Egypt. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. 2014 May;6(3):240.

Fluoxetine Treatment

• Wagner GJ, Ngo V, Glick P, Obuku EA, Musisi S, Akena D. INtegration of DEPression Treatment into HIV Care in Uganda (INDEPTH-Uganda): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2014 Dec;15(1):248.
• Wagner GJ, McBain RK, Akena D, Ngo V, Nakigudde J, Nakku J, Chemusto H, Beyeza-Kashesya J, Gwokyalya V, Faherty LJ, Kyohangirwe L. Maternal depression treatment in HIV (M-DEPTH): Study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial. Medicine. 2019 Jul;98(27).

Implementation Science

• Meffert SM, Neylan TC, Chambers DA, Verdeli H. Novel implementation research designs for scaling up global mental health care: overcoming translational challenges to address the world’s leading cause of disability. International journal of mental health systems. 2016 Dec;10(1):19.

Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment (EPIS) and Dynamic Adaptation Process (DAP)

• Aarons GA, Hurlburt M, Horwitz SM. Advancing a conceptual model of evidence-based practice implementation in public service sectors. Administration and policy in mental health and mental health services research. 2011 Jan; 1;38(1):4-23.
• Aarons GA, Green AE, Trott E, Willging CE, Torres EM, Ehrhart MG, Roesch SC. The roles of system and organizational leadership in system-wide evidence-based intervention sustainment: a mixed-method study. Administration and policy in mental health and mental health services research. 2016 Nov 1;43(6):991-1008.
• Aarons GA, Ehrhart MG, Farahnak LR, Hurlburt MS. Leadership and organizational change for implementation (LOCI): a randomized mixed method pilot study of a leadership and organization development intervention for evidence-based practice implementation. Implementation science. 2015 Dec;10(1):11.
• Moullin JC, Dickson KS, Stadnick NA, Rabin B, Aarons GA. Systematic review of the exploration, preparation, implementation, sustainment (EPIS) framework. Implementation science. 2019 Dec;14(1):1.

Observational Studies of Depression & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

• Jenkins R, Othieno C, Omollo R, Ongeri L, Sifuna P, Mboroki J, Kiima D, Ogutu B. Probable post traumatic stress disorder in Kenya and its associated risk factors: a cross-sectional household survey. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2015 Oct;12(10):13494-509.
• Jenkins R, Othieno C, Ongeri L, Sifuna P, Ongecha M, Kingora J, Kiima D, Omollo R, Ogutu B. Common mental disorder in Nyanza province, Kenya in 2013 and its associated risk factors–an assessment of change since 2004, using a repeat household survey in a demographic surveillance site. BMC psychiatry. 2015 Dec;15(1):309.
• Ongeri L, McCulloch CE, Neylan TC, Bukusi E, Macfarlane SB, Othieno C, Ngugi AK, Meffert SM. Suicidality and associated risk factors in outpatients attending a general medical facility in rural Kenya. Journal of affective disorders. 2018 Jan 1;225:413-21.

Screening for Mental Illnesses in Primary Care

• Meffert, S.M., Mathai, M., Ongeri, L., Neylan, T., Mwai, D., Onyango, D., Akena, D., Rota, G., Otieno, A., Obura, R.R. and Wangia, J., Defining a Screening Tool for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in East Africa: A Penalized Regression Approach. Frontiers in Public Health, 12, p.1383171.
• Akena D, Joska J, Obuku EA, Amos T, Musisi S, Stein DJ. Comparing the accuracy of brief versus long depression screening instruments which have been validated in low and middle income countries: a systematic review. BMC psychiatry. 2012 Dec;12(1):187.
• Akena D, Stein DJ, Joska J. Does screening HIV-positive individuals in Uganda for major depressive disorder improve case detection rates and antidepressant prescription? AIDS and behavior. 2013 Oct 1;17(8):2802-7.
• Kumar M, Ongeri L, Mathai M, Mbwayo A. Translation of EPDS questionnaire into Kiswahili: understanding the cross-cultural and translation issues in mental health research. Journal of pregnancy and child health. 2015 Jan 15;2(1).

HIV, Gender-Based Violence & Mental Health in LMICs

• Meffert SM, Lawhorn C, Ongeri L, Bukusi E, Campbell HR, Goosby E, Bertozzi SM, Kahonge SN. Scaling up public mental health care in Sub-Saharan Africa: insights from infectious disease. Global Mental Health. 2021;8.
• Wagner GJ, Ghosh-Dastidar B, Robinson E, Ngo VK, Glick P, Mukasa B, Musisi S, Akena D. Effects of depression alleviation on ART adherence and HIV clinic attendance in Uganda, and the mediating roles of self-efficacy and motivation. AIDS and behavior. 2017 Jun 1;21(6):1655-64.
• Onu CC, Dworkin SL, Ongeri LG, Oyaro P, Neylan TC, Cohen CR, Bukusi EA, Rota G, Meffert SM. Brief Report: Sexual Violence Against HIV-Positive Women in the Nyanza Region of Kenya: Is Condom Negotiation an Instigator? Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes. (1999). 2017 Jan 1;74(1):52.
• Zunner B, Dworkin SL, Neylan TC, Bukusi EA, Oyaro P, Cohen CR, Abwok M, Meffert SM. HIV, violence and women: unmet mental health care needs. Journal of affective disorders. 2015 Mar 15;174:619-26.
• Onu C, Ongeri L, Bukusi E, Cohen CR, Neylan TC, Oyaro P, Rota G, Otewa F, Delucchi KL, Meffert SM. Interpersonal psychotherapy for depression and posttraumatic stress disorder among HIV-positive women in Kisumu, Kenya: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2016 Feb 03; 17:64. 
• Meffert SM, McCulloch CE, Neylan TC, Gandhi M, Lund C. Increase of perceived frequency of neighborhood domestic violence is associated with increase of women's depression symptoms in a nationally representative longitudinal study in South Africa. Social science & medicine. 2015 Apr 1;131:89-97.
• Yator O, Mathai M, Vander Stoep A, Rao D, Kumar M. Risk factors for postpartum depression in women living with HIV attending prevention of mother-to-child transmission clinic at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi. AIDS care. 2016 Jul 2;28(7):884-9.
• Wagner GJ, Ngo VK, Nakasujja N, Akena D, Aunon F, Musisi S. Impact of antidepressant therapy on cognitive aspects of work, condom use, and psychosocial well-being among HIV clients in Uganda. International journal of psychiatry in medicine. 2014 Oct;48(3):155-66.
• Wagner GJ, Slaughter M, Ghosh-Dastidar B. Depression at treatment initiation predicts HIV antiretroviral adherence in Uganda. Journal of the international association of providers of AIDS care (JIAPAC). 2017 Jan;16(1):91-7.
• Wagner GJ, Ghosh-Dastidar B, Slaughter M, Akena D, Nakasujja N, Okello E, Musisi S. The role of depression in work-related outcomes of HIV treatment in Uganda. International journal of behavioral medicine. 2014 Dec 1;21(6):946-55.
• Wagner GJ, Rabkin JG, Rabkin R. A comparative analysis of standard and alternative antidepressants in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus patients. Comprehensive psychiatry. 1996 Nov 1;37(6):402-8.

Construction of Effective Adaptive Interventions

• Nahum-Shani I, Hekler EB, Spruijt-Metz D. Building health behavior models to guide the development of just-in-time adaptive interventions: A pragmatic framework. Health psychology. 2015 Dec;34(S):1209.
• Nahum-Shani I, Qian M, Almirall D, Pelham WE, Gnagy B, Fabiano GA, Waxmonsky JG, Yu J, Murphy SA. Q-learning: A data analysis method for constructing adaptive interventions. Psychological methods. 2012 Dec;17(4):478.
• Nahum-Shani I, Qian M, Almirall D, Pelham WE, Gnagy B, Fabiano GA, Waxmonsky JG, Yu J, Murphy SA. Experimental design and primary data analysis methods for comparing adaptive interventions. Psychological methods. 2012 Dec;17(4):457.

Communication 

• Ongeri L, Mbugua G, Njenga F, Nguithi A, Anundo J, Mugane M, Kimari Z, Kaigwa LW, Atwoli L. Harnessing social media in mental health practice in Kenya: a community case study report. The Pan African Medical Journal. 2021;39.