Mental health research priorities in low- and middle-income countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.
BACKGROUND
Studies suggest a paucity of and lack of prioritisation in mental health research from low- and middle-income (LAMI) countries.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate research priorities in mental health among researchers and other stakeholders in LAMI countries.


METHODS
We used a two-stage design that included identification, through literature searches and snowball technique, of researchers and stakeholders in 114 countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean; and a mail survey on priorities in research.


RESULTS
The study identified broad agreement between researchers and stakeholders and across regions regarding research priorities. Epidemiology (burden and risk factors), health systems and social science ranked highest for type of research. Depression/anxiety, substance use disorders and psychoses; and children and adolescents, women, and people exposed to violence/trauma were prioritised among the disorders and population groups respectively. Important criteria for prioritising research were burden of disease, social justice, and availability of funds. Stakeholder groups differed in the importance they gave to the personal interest of researchers as a criterion for prioritising research. Researchers' and stakeholders' priorities were consistent with burden of disease estimates, however suicide was underprioritised compared with its burden. Researchers' and stakeholders' priorities were also largely congruent with the researchers' projects.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this first ever conducted survey of researchers and stakeholders regarding research priorities in mental health suggest that it should be possible to develop consensus at regional and international levels regarding the research agenda that is necessary to support health system objectives in LAMI countries.
Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi - 110029, India. pratapsharan@yahoo.com
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Sharan
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Gallo
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Gureje
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Lamberte
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Mari
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Mazzotti
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Patel
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Swartz
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Olifson
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Levav
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de Francisco
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Saxena
D000293:Adolescent; D000349:Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D001208:Asia / Q000453:epidemiology; D017691:Caribbean Region / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006282:Health Personnel; D006292:Health Priorities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011570:Psychiatry; D012106:Research / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012109:Research Support as Topic; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D035862:Vulnerable Populations