Abstract
BackgroundStrengthening routine information systems for mental health can augment scale up of community mental health services in India and other low- and middle-income countries. Currently little routine data is available in Indian settings. This study aimed to develop a core set of indicators for monitoring mental health care in primary health care settingsMethodsBy using a sequential exploratory mixed methods design, key mental health indicators measuring service delivery and system performance were developed for the context of Madhya Pradesh, India. The research design involved a situation analysis, and conducting a prioritisation exercise and consultation workshops with key stakeholders.ResultsThis study resulted in nine key mental health indicators covering both mental health service delivery indicators and mental health system indicators for Sehore district of Madhya Pradesh. Mean indicator priority scores ranging from 4.48 to 3.78 were reported.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated a phased approach to strengthen routine information systems for mental health at a primary care level in India. We recommend that similar research methods can be applied across comparable settings and these indicators can be adopted as a part of national routine information systems.
Highlights
Strengthening routine information systems for mental health can augment scale up of community mental health services in India and other low- and middle-income countries
There is a clear need to strengthen routine data collection for mental health cases [4, 5]. These systems are useful at different stages in planning and implementation of mental health care; that is, situational analysis, priority setting, option appraisal, programming, implementation and evaluation [6]. Even though this robust system for routinely collecting Mental health (MH) data is recommended in the World Health organisation (WHO) Mental Health Action Plan of 2013-2030 [7], few countries have a robust system for routinely collecting mental health data
In the area of health research priority setting has been used, for example, to plan for health care spending in Kenya [16], to reach consensus on prioritising mental disorders in Nepal [17], and to prioritise health conditions to achieve universal health coverage in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) [8]. Drawing from these insights, this study aims to develop appropriate and feasible indicators measuring mental health service delivery and system performance through an inclusive process of stakeholder engagement for Sehore district of Madhya Pradesh state, India
Summary
Strengthening routine information systems for mental health can augment scale up of community mental health services in India and other low- and middle-income countries. Mental health (MH) indicators summarise data to reflect change in mental health services, their reach, and the populations served. In 2015, the United States Agency for International Development, WHO and World Bank met during the Measurement and Accountability for Results in Health summit, and called for action in improving, and investing in, Even though this robust system for routinely collecting MH data is recommended in the WHO Mental Health Action Plan of 2013-2030 [7], few countries have a robust system for routinely collecting mental health data. Lower and middle-income countries (LMICs) in particular face a considerable challenge to strengthen information systems for mental health [4]. There has been an ongoing measure to improve quality of information systems globally in the
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