ASHA Bangladesh--An Integrated Intervention to Address Poverty and Depression

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS, WORCESTER · Feb 27, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The ASHA Bangladesh trial is studying how combining help with poverty and treatment for depression can improve the lives of low-income women in rural Bangladesh who are struggling with depression. The researchers want to find out if adding support for financial issues to regular depression treatment can lead to better mental health outcomes over two years and if it helps more women stick with their treatment. The study will involve interviews at different points over the 24 months to see how participants are doing.

To be eligible for this study, participants must be married women aged 18 to 75, speak Bengali, and show signs of economic hardship and depression. They need to score at least 10 on a depression scale, which indicates moderate symptoms. Women who cannot give consent, plan to be away for more than a month during the study, or have other reasons that prevent them from participating will not be included. Participants in this trial can expect to receive support for both their mental health and financial challenges, along with regular check-ins to track their progress.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. married women;
• • 2. age 18-75;
• • 3. fluent in Bengali);
• • 4. Meets criteria on an Economic Vulnerability Index
• • 5. \>=10 on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9 Depression Scale at baseline
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Inability to provide informed consent;
• • 2. Plans to travel for \> 1 month during 24 M period.
• • 3. Inability to participate in the study for any other reason