Developing mental health research in sub-Saharan Africa: capacity building in the AFFIRM project.

Background There remains a large disparity in the quantity, quality and impact ofmental health research carried out in sub-Saharan Africa, relative to both the burden and the amount of research carried out in other regions. We lack evidence on the capacity-building activities that are effective in achieving desired aims and appropriate methodologies for evaluating success. Methods AFFIRM was an NIMH-funded hub project including a capacity-building program with three components open to participants across six countries: (a) fellowships for an M.Phil. program; (b) funding for Ph.D. students con0ducting research nested within AFFIRM trials; (c) short courses in specialist research skills. We present findings on progression and outputs fromtheM.Phil. andPh.D. programs, self-perceivedimpactof short courses,qualitativedataonstudent experience, andreflections on experiences and lessons learnt from AFFIRMconsortium members. Results AFFIRMdelivered funded research training opportunities to 25 mental health professionals, 90 researchers and five Ph.D. students across 6 countries over a period of 5 years.Anumber of challengeswere identified and suggestions for improving the capacity-building activities explored. Conclusions Having protected time for research is a barrier to carrying out research activities for busy clinicians. Funders could support sustainability of capacity-building initiatives through funds for travel and study leave. Adoption of a trainthe-trainers model forspecialist skills training and strategies for improving the rigorof evaluationof capacity-building activities should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]