Abstract:
Background: Men’s depression, alcohol use, and family problems commonly co-occur to create of cluster of mental
health problems. Yet, few treatments exist to address these problems, especially in low and middle-income coun tries (LMICs). This paper describes the development and initial feasibility and acceptability of a novel task-shifted
intervention to address this cluster of men’s mental health problems with a focus on engaging and retaining men in
treatment.
Methods: The intervention, Learn, Engage, Act, Dedicate (LEAD), is based in behavioral activation blended with
motivational interviewing and was pilot tested in Kenya. To develop LEAD, we engaged in a community-engaged
multi-step, collaborative process with local Kenyan stakeholders. LEAD was piloted with nine fathers reporting prob lem drinking. To assess initial feasibility and acceptability, recruitment and participation were tracked and descriptive
statistics were generated given engagement of men was key for proof of concept. Semi-structured interviews were
conducted with participants and analyzed using thematic content analysis.
Results: The development process resulted in a weekly 5-session intervention rooted in behavioral activation,
motivational interviewing, and masculinity discussion strategies. These approaches were combined and adapted to
ft contextually salient constructs, such as the importance of the man as provider, and streamlined for lay providers.
Feasibility and acceptability results were promising with high attendance, acceptability of delivery and intervention
content, and perceived intervention helpfulness.
Conclusion: Results describe an acceptable task-shifted treatment that may engage men in care and addresses a
cluster of common mental health problems among men in ways that consider social determinants like masculinity.
Findings set the stage for a larger trial