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Is Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) cost effective? An economic evaluation among Congolese refugees in the Kyaka Ⅱ community in Uganda

Doffegnies, Sophie LU (2025) MPHN40 20251
Social Medicine and Global Health
Abstract
Background: Mental health is a global public health issue. Mental health disorders can develop
in anyone, but the prevalence is higher among refugees. Mental Health and Psychosocial Support
(MHPSS), aims to improve mental health and is commonly applied among persons from
conflict-afflicted settings such as, refugees. There are several studies demonstrating the
effectiveness of MHPSS but there are limited studies on its cost-effectiveness.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine if a MHPSS intervention among Congolese
refugees and some Ugandans living in and around the Kyaka Ⅱ refugee camp in Uganda, is cost-
effective compared to a ‘do-nothing approach’ and to determine if this effect differs over sex,
age,... (More)
Background: Mental health is a global public health issue. Mental health disorders can develop
in anyone, but the prevalence is higher among refugees. Mental Health and Psychosocial Support
(MHPSS), aims to improve mental health and is commonly applied among persons from
conflict-afflicted settings such as, refugees. There are several studies demonstrating the
effectiveness of MHPSS but there are limited studies on its cost-effectiveness.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine if a MHPSS intervention among Congolese
refugees and some Ugandans living in and around the Kyaka Ⅱ refugee camp in Uganda, is cost-
effective compared to a ‘do-nothing approach’ and to determine if this effect differs over sex,
age, refugee status, MHPSS type, and project funder.
Methods: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (CEA) will be conducted from the societal perspective.
The main outcome of interest is mental health measured via the Self-Report Questionnaire-20
(SRQ-20), measured pre and post intervention. The cost analysis is performed by analyzing
financial expenditure reports and conducting interviews. The effectiveness is determined by the
mean raw score change in the SRQ-20, the number of recovered participants, and Hedges G
effect size. A multivariable regression at a 95% confidence level, is used to determine differences
in effect based on sex, age, refuge status, MHPSS type and project funder.
Findings: The total cost of the intervention is $704,038 USD and the cost per participant is
$281. The SRQ-20 score decreased by 12.7 points and 88 percent of participants recovered. The
cost per unit reduction in the SRQ-20 is $22 per participant and at a cost of $331 one participant
will recover. Only sex had a statistically significant effect on the outcome, but the ICER differs
minimally between females and males.
Conclusions: Based on WHO’s CHOICE framework for arguing cost-effectiveness and
comparative literature, the intervention is cost-effective at an ICER of 22 USD. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Doffegnies, Sophie LU
supervisor
organization
course
MPHN40 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
language
English
id
9207656
date added to LUP
2025-09-17 19:16:13
date last changed
2025-09-17 19:16:13
@misc{9207656,
  abstract     = {{Background: Mental health is a global public health issue. Mental health disorders can develop 
in anyone, but the prevalence is higher among refugees. Mental Health and Psychosocial Support 
(MHPSS), aims to improve mental health and is commonly applied among persons from 
conflict-afflicted settings such as, refugees. There are several studies demonstrating the 
effectiveness of MHPSS but there are limited studies on its cost-effectiveness. 
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine if a MHPSS intervention among Congolese 
refugees and some Ugandans living in and around the Kyaka Ⅱ refugee camp in Uganda, is cost- 
effective compared to a ‘do-nothing approach’ and to determine if this effect differs over sex, 
age, refugee status, MHPSS type, and project funder. 
Methods: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (CEA) will be conducted from the societal perspective. 
The main outcome of interest is mental health measured via the Self-Report Questionnaire-20 
(SRQ-20), measured pre and post intervention. The cost analysis is performed by analyzing 
financial expenditure reports and conducting interviews. The effectiveness is determined by the 
mean raw score change in the SRQ-20, the number of recovered participants, and Hedges G 
effect size. A multivariable regression at a 95% confidence level, is used to determine differences 
in effect based on sex, age, refuge status, MHPSS type and project funder. 
Findings: The total cost of the intervention is $704,038 USD and the cost per participant is 
$281. The SRQ-20 score decreased by 12.7 points and 88 percent of participants recovered. The 
cost per unit reduction in the SRQ-20 is $22 per participant and at a cost of $331 one participant 
will recover. Only sex had a statistically significant effect on the outcome, but the ICER differs 
minimally between females and males. 
Conclusions: Based on WHO’s CHOICE framework for arguing cost-effectiveness and 
comparative literature, the intervention is cost-effective at an ICER of 22 USD.}},
  author       = {{Doffegnies, Sophie}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Is Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) cost effective? An economic evaluation among Congolese refugees in the Kyaka Ⅱ community in Uganda}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}