Research Projects
On Going Projects
1. PRAMMS- Prospective Assessment of Maternal Mental health Study
Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression Among Pregnant Women and association with Antenatal Health Care Utilization, Antenatal Health Behaviours and Pregnancy outcomes- a prospective study
Principal Investigator-
Dr Prabha S Chandra
Co-Investigator: -
1. Dr. Geetha Desai
2. Dr. Kavitha Jagnam
3. Dr. Lata Venkatram
4. Dr. Aruna Muralidhar
5. Dr. Thennarssu
6. Dr. Veena A Satyanarayana
Total duration of the project: 3 years (2014-2017)
Funding Agency- Indian Council of Medical Research
2. B-CHADS- Bangalore- Child Health And Development Study
Early psychosocial predictors of child mental health: longitudinal study of shared and distinctive risk and protective factors in UK & amp; India
Principal Investigator-
Dr Prabha S Chandra
Co-Investigator: -
- Dr. ShobaSrinath
- Dr. Geetha Desai
- Dr. John K. Vijaysagar
- Dr Thomas Kishore
- DrG.Venkatasubramanian
- DrThennarasu K
Funding Agency: Indian Council of Medical Research (India) and Medical Research Council (UK)
3. IMPRESS- Intervention for Mother's during Pregnancy to Reduce the Exposure of Second hand Smoke
[“A Multi-Component Intervention to reduce home exposure to Second Hand Smoke (SHS) during pregnancy and postnatal period” under the UK-India Global Research Partnership (GRP programme with Indian and UK Investigators]
PI Name of Principal Investigator:
Dr. Prabha S Chandra (PI from India) Professor Dept. of Psychiatry National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences
Dr. Atif Rahman(PI from UK), Professor, Institute of Psychology, Health &Society(Psychological Sciences)
University of Liverpool UK
Co-PI from INDIA
Dr. Pratima MurthyProfessor, Dept. of Psychiatry National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences
Dr. Veena Satyanarayana, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Clinical Psychology, National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences
Co-PI from UK
Dr. MukeshDherani, Institute of Psychology, Health &Society(Psychological Sciences), University of Liverpool UK
Dr. Kamran Siddiqi, Dept of Health Sciences (Public Health) University of York
Mr. Steve Parrot Dept of Health Sciences (Health Economics), University of York
Total duration of the project: 18 months (2016-2017)
Funding Agency: Department of Biotechnology, (DBT) New Delhi. Medical Research Council and DFID
The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a multi-component intervention in reducing household Second Hand Smoking (SHS) exposure among non smoking pregnant women in rural Bangladesh and urban India.
The study took place in rural Bangladesh ( Comilla district) and urban Bangalore between 2016 and 2017. Pregnant women in their first trimester of pregnancy recruited from antenatal clinics who reported SHS exposure and also tested positive for saliva cotinine by NicAlert®(were randomized into intervention and control groups. Women in the intervention group were delivered a multicomponent intervention including a maternal cotinine report, a letter from the unborn baby to the father and a picture book showing the impact of SHS on the fetus and ways of reducing the exposure. In Bangalore this was supplemented by voice messages to the father’s mobile phone. Women in the control group received a leaflet on the impact of SHS on pregnancy and the fetus. The primary outcome of interest was saliva cotinine in the pregnant women, three months after the intervention. The secondary outcomes included women’s report of SHS exposure in the past 30 days, knowledge and attitudes towards exposure to SHS, confidence in negotiating change with husbands and readiness to change among the husband. Birth outcomes were also assessed.
4. “The role of prenatal Maternal Stress and Poor Nutrition as Synergistic Factors in Pregnancy and Fetal Outcomes.”
Principle Investigator:
Dr. Sunder Nag
Co- Investigators:
Dr. Prabha S Chandra
Dr. Geetha Desai
Total duration of the project: 2 years (2016-2018)
Funding Agency: National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) Bangalore.
CHIME
Community Health Intervention through Musical Engagement
Investigating the Potential of a Community-based Music Intervention to Support Maternal Mental Health in India: A Scoping Study
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Prabha S Chandra, Professor & Principal Investigator,
Dept. of Psychiatry, NIMHANS.
Duration of the Study: 2023 - –
Funded by:
University of London
Objective:
To Examine the feasibility of a Community Health Intervention through Musical Engagement (CHIME) in India to reduce common mental disorder (CMD) symptoms in pregnant women and postpartum
Community Health Intervention through Musical Engagement
Investigating the Potential of a Community-based Music Intervention to Support Maternal Mental Health in India: A Scoping Study
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Prabha S Chandra, Professor & Principal Investigator,
Dept. of Psychiatry, NIMHANS.
Duration of the Study: 2023 - –
Funded by:
University of London
Objective:
To Examine the feasibility of a Community Health Intervention through Musical Engagement (CHIME) in India to reduce common mental disorder (CMD) symptoms in pregnant women and postpartum
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Name of Project:
Feasibility, Acceptability, and Usage of a Digital Solution for identifying Perinatal Depression and Anxiety in Obstetric Clinics Principal Investigator: Dr. Prabha Chandra Co- Investigators: Dr. Geetha Desai, Dr. Shraddha Lotlikar, Dr. Supraja T External co-investigators: Dr. Latha Venkataram, Dr. Madhushree Vijayakumar Funding agency: Eidegenossische Technische Hochschule Zurich for development (ETH4D), / Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Switzerland |
Description:
Around 10% of pregnant women and 13% of women giving birth, experience mental health issues, especially depression. In developing countries, this is even higher, i.e. 15.6% during pregnancy and 19.8% after childbirth.There are still no dedicated maternal mental health services as well as screening and treatment guidelines leading to poor recognition and treatment of perinatal mental health conditions. Some of the other barriers in seeking and obtaining help during this time are mothers’ limited access and engagement with traditional face-to-face treatment services, due to a lack of trained mental health professionals, sociocultural customs and traditions, high costs, geographical distance to services, logistical issues (e.g., childcare), and perceived stigma associated with seeking help, prompting many women to seek digital solutions. This study explores the feasibility, acceptability and usage of a digital method of self-screening and utilizing pathways to care in two urban obstetric clinics using a self-rating method by women who are pregnant or postpartum, followed by the obstetrician rating them for depression and anxiety.
Around 10% of pregnant women and 13% of women giving birth, experience mental health issues, especially depression. In developing countries, this is even higher, i.e. 15.6% during pregnancy and 19.8% after childbirth.There are still no dedicated maternal mental health services as well as screening and treatment guidelines leading to poor recognition and treatment of perinatal mental health conditions. Some of the other barriers in seeking and obtaining help during this time are mothers’ limited access and engagement with traditional face-to-face treatment services, due to a lack of trained mental health professionals, sociocultural customs and traditions, high costs, geographical distance to services, logistical issues (e.g., childcare), and perceived stigma associated with seeking help, prompting many women to seek digital solutions. This study explores the feasibility, acceptability and usage of a digital method of self-screening and utilizing pathways to care in two urban obstetric clinics using a self-rating method by women who are pregnant or postpartum, followed by the obstetrician rating them for depression and anxiety.
International Survey of Childbirth-related Trauma (INTERSECT)
Investigators:
Prof Geetha Desai, Prof Prabha S Chandra, Dr Pratibha Vinod, Dr Sundarnag Ganjekar, Dr Rashmi Arasappa, Dr Veena Satyanarayana, Dr. PadmaLatha Venkataram
Funding Agency:
DHR, ICMR
Primary objective:
INTERSECT is to determine the prevalence of child birth trauma and PTSD symptoms among recently delivered mothers, to understand the symptom profile of child birth trauma and to understand various psychosocial contributing factors for childbirth-related PTSD symptoms. Another important objective of the study is to establish the cross-cultural validity of the City Birth Trauma Scale.
Prof Geetha Desai, Prof Prabha S Chandra, Dr Pratibha Vinod, Dr Sundarnag Ganjekar, Dr Rashmi Arasappa, Dr Veena Satyanarayana, Dr. PadmaLatha Venkataram
Funding Agency:
DHR, ICMR
Primary objective:
INTERSECT is to determine the prevalence of child birth trauma and PTSD symptoms among recently delivered mothers, to understand the symptom profile of child birth trauma and to understand various psychosocial contributing factors for childbirth-related PTSD symptoms. Another important objective of the study is to establish the cross-cultural validity of the City Birth Trauma Scale.
Name of the Project:
Developmental and behavioural outcomes of children born to mothers
with severe postpartum mental illnesses: A longitudinal study in a Perinatal Psychiatry Clinic
(July 2017 to June 2021).
Investigators
Prof. M. Thomas Kishore, Dept. of Clinical Psychology
Co-Investigators:
Prof. Hareesh Thipeeswamy, Dept. of Psychiatry
Prof. Geeta Desai, Dept. of Psychiatry
Dr. B. Binukumar, Dept. of Biostatistics
Funding agency:
Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi
Brief description:
Major mental illnesses in mothers during the Perinatal period can have
significant effects on the social, cognitive and motor development of the infants, with long-
term consequences on their mental and physical health. But mainly the evidence comes
from a few cross-sectional studies and reviews, and we do not have information on the role
of many important variables such as socio-economic status, home environment, antenatal
care, treatment history, nutritional status, quality of infant-mother bonding, and infant
stimulation. In this context, this longitudinal study aims to examine the nature of
developmental (cognitive, emotional, social) outcomes in children born to mothers with
severe mental illnesses during pregnancy. This study is in line with the current national
priorities of medical research on non-communicable diseases including mental health in
women and children, who are vulnerable for health care disparities. This study will have
implications for early intervention for infants born to mothers with major mental illnesses.
Developmental and behavioural outcomes of children born to mothers
with severe postpartum mental illnesses: A longitudinal study in a Perinatal Psychiatry Clinic
(July 2017 to June 2021).
Investigators
Prof. M. Thomas Kishore, Dept. of Clinical Psychology
Co-Investigators:
Prof. Hareesh Thipeeswamy, Dept. of Psychiatry
Prof. Geeta Desai, Dept. of Psychiatry
Dr. B. Binukumar, Dept. of Biostatistics
Funding agency:
Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi
Brief description:
Major mental illnesses in mothers during the Perinatal period can have
significant effects on the social, cognitive and motor development of the infants, with long-
term consequences on their mental and physical health. But mainly the evidence comes
from a few cross-sectional studies and reviews, and we do not have information on the role
of many important variables such as socio-economic status, home environment, antenatal
care, treatment history, nutritional status, quality of infant-mother bonding, and infant
stimulation. In this context, this longitudinal study aims to examine the nature of
developmental (cognitive, emotional, social) outcomes in children born to mothers with
severe mental illnesses during pregnancy. This study is in line with the current national
priorities of medical research on non-communicable diseases including mental health in
women and children, who are vulnerable for health care disparities. This study will have
implications for early intervention for infants born to mothers with major mental illnesses.
Name of the Project:
Perinatal mental health in India: a validation and cohort study (June 22-Jun 26)
Investigators
Site Principal Investigator:
Prof. M. Thomas Kishore, Dept. of Clinical Psychology
Co-Investigators
: Prof. Prabha Chandra, Dept. of Psychiatry
Prof. Hareesh Thipeeswamy, Dept. of Psychiatry
Prof. Geeta Desai, Dept. of Psychiatry
Funding agency:
National Perinatal Epidemiological Unit, Oxford University, UK
Aim:
This community-based project aims to study the psychological morbidity among perinatal
women and understand its implications for child developmental outcomes. This study aims to
identify suitable measures for assessing the psychological problems in perinatal women in the
community and understand its association with the developmental outcomes of the infants.
Perinatal mental health in India: a validation and cohort study (June 22-Jun 26)
Investigators
Site Principal Investigator:
Prof. M. Thomas Kishore, Dept. of Clinical Psychology
Co-Investigators
: Prof. Prabha Chandra, Dept. of Psychiatry
Prof. Hareesh Thipeeswamy, Dept. of Psychiatry
Prof. Geeta Desai, Dept. of Psychiatry
Funding agency:
National Perinatal Epidemiological Unit, Oxford University, UK
Aim:
This community-based project aims to study the psychological morbidity among perinatal
women and understand its implications for child developmental outcomes. This study aims to
identify suitable measures for assessing the psychological problems in perinatal women in the
community and understand its association with the developmental outcomes of the infants.
Completed Projects
1. Analysis of Pathways to care (APC) and Explanatory Models (EM) in women with Postpartum Mental Health Problems.
Principal Investigator- Dr. Harish T
Co-Investigator: -
1. Dr. Prabha S Chandra
Total duration of the project - 2010- 2012
Funding Agency- Indian Council of Medical Research
Principal Investigator- Dr. Harish T
Co-Investigator: -
1. Dr. Prabha S Chandra
Total duration of the project - 2010- 2012
Funding Agency- Indian Council of Medical Research
