YAMADA, Chika

Program-Specific Researcher

Area

Public Health

Research Interests / Keywords

global mental health, drug use disorders, accessible health care, task-sharing, stigma, social inclusion, intergroup contact

Research Overview

Development and evaluation of cognitive behavioural therapy for people with drug use disorders in Indonesia
Drug use disorders (DUD) has become a major health problem in low- and middle- income countries (LMICs), including Indonesia. However, evidence of any effective addiction therapy in LMICs is scarce. In this project, we will develop a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)-based program for DUD adapted to the Indonesian context, and evaluate its efficacy via a multicenter, randomised controlled trial.
Further, we will modify the CBT program for its provision in primary health care settings. We will then conduct an implementation study to investigate the effectiveness of the modified version of the CBT program in primary health care, e.g. Puskesmas. A successful outcome may birth new guidelines or health policies for people with DUD in Indonesia, and other LMICs in general.

Social inclusion and quality of life of people with mental health and substance use problems in the Philippines
People with mental health problems in LMICs presumably experience stigma and discrimination, but only a few reports are available in the literature. In 2018, we have conducted a qualitative study on stigma experienced by people with mental health problems in the Philippines. Our findings highlighted the culturally and socio-economically specific contexts, consequences, and impact modifiers of experiences of stigma.
Substance use in the Philippines under the national “Drug War” policy has become extremely concerning and drawn global attention. Our next study is a cross-sectional study on quality of life and its associated factors among people who use drugs (PWUD) in the Philippines. We have surveyed PWUDs on their social, economic, and policy-related factors and health status and analysed their associations. We aim to deliver the result as concrete feedback towards policymakers in the Philippines, to improve the quality of life of Filipino PWUDs.

Development and evaluation of a support program for people with lived experience of addiction for their public speaking
Public speeches on personal recovery from addiction may reduce public stigma among the audience towards people with addiction. However, the influence of public speeches on the speakers themselves is unknown. We have first conducted a formation qualitative study to conceptualise and contextualise risks and benefits for the speakers. This project further aims to develop and evaluate an educational program to support people with addiction, to make a better decision in regards to whether, when, where, and how they make a public speech on their lived experiences. It is hoped that this program may help to minimise negative effects triggered by their speech, such as relapse and re-traumatisation.