The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as ‘a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community’. Mental illn...ess refers to all of the diagnosable mental disorders, which are characterised by abnormalities in thinking, feelings or behaviours. Mental illness is closely related to vulnerability, both in its causes and in its effects. Globally, 14 per cent of the global burden of disease is attributed to mental illness – with 75 per cent of those affected being found in low-income countries – which includes a broad spectrum of diagnoses, from common mental illnesses such as anxiety and substance abuse, to severe illnesses like psychosis. more

A feasibility study in five African sites

PLOS Glob Public Health 4(12): e0004035. https://doi. org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0004035. A new formulation of praziquantel, arpraziquantel (arPZQ), has been developed for preschool- aged children (PSAC) to fill the treatment gap for this age group in schistosomiasis control and elimination program...s. There is now a priority to ensure that the drug reaches all at-risk PSAC in endemic areas, including hard-to-reach areas and populations. This study aimed to deter- mine schistosomiasis treatment-related contextual factors among fishermen and island popu- lations in Homa Bay County, Kenya, and to identify a suitable platform to deliver arPZQ. more