Contextual challenges and solutions to undertaking a household adolescent mental health survey in a developing country

Abstract

Recent epidemiological evidence for Lebanese adults along with the increased efforts for policy and service planning have demonstrated the importance of screening for rates of psychiatric disorders in the adolescent population. In response to this need, the Beirut Epidemiological Investigation of the Psychological Status of Youth was conducted in a community sample to estimate the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and their correlates among adolescents. The main aim of this report is to provide a synthesis of the research process and challenges faced in completing the first population-based mental health survey among children and adolescents in Lebanon. This report discusses the challenges faced and the lessons learnt in conducting such a survey. Themes discussed include working around the absence of a proper sampling framework, conducting a sound study with limited funding and the absence of a research culture. This report presents evidence-informed recommendations for similar future surveys. The report also establishes that a sound epidemiological survey is possible even where there are limited resources and challenging contexts such as security issues or the absence of a research culture.