SeeTheChild - Mental child health in Uganda

This research project will follow-up children in the cohort established through the PROMISE EBF cluster randomized trial in Burkina Faso and Uganda in the period 2006-2008 that RCN co-funded. The mother-infant pairs in the intervention clusters received peer support for exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). EBF practices were doubled in the intervention clusters. The children will reach 5-7 years when this follow-up study commences.

The follow-up study will evaluate the effect of peer counseling for EBF in the first six months of life on human capital formation particularly cognitive functioning and mental child health among children in the Promise-EBF trial. This study is named Promise SB and funded by Grand Challenges Canada. A sub-study will be conducted within the Promise SB framework: SeeTheChild - Mental child health in Uganda. This study will establish prevalence estimates for the major mental child health conditions following internationally adopted guidelines and assess knowledge and treatment gaps in the public health services regarding children's mental health conditions found in the study catchment area. Capacity building within international mental child health will be promoted in collaboration with partners.

SeeTheChild: Multi-disciplinary team work will be used to assess children recruited according to a predefined threshold for mental health tentative diseases. Qualitative methods including focus group discussions, observations and interviews will be used to assess existing mental health public health services within the Ugandan study catchment area. International capacity building in mental child health will be promoted. International research ethical standards will be followed.