Effectiveness of a Training Intervention on Mental Health of Parents for Intellectually Disabled Children in Malawi

Background: It is asserted that 85% of disabled children live in resource poor countries with few available disability services. Measurements have shown an increase in disability prevalence from 2% to 4% over the past three decades in Malawi. A recent prevalence study in Mzuzu city, found 19.7% disability prevalence with associated social and psychological burden of care; marriage disruptions and divorces among parents of disabled children due to stigma and cultural misconceptions about disability. Studies have shown a link between parenting children with intellectual disabilities and parental psychological health problems and overall Quality of life. However, with interventions, these negative impacts are not as severe as once thought. Research Objectives: This study aims to design a Malawi specific Psychosocial Training Intervention for parents with intellectually disabled children and assess the impact of the Intervention in reducing psychological distress among these parents in Malawi. Methodology: This study will use mixed methods design. It will employ an explanatory sequential design, where by qualitative data collection and analysis builds to quantitative data collection and analysis; and final interpretation. The study will be conducted within catchment areas of two disability organisations that are operating in Mzuzu and Lilongwe. On sample size for the quantitative part, calculation using 5% level of statistical significance, power of 90% and effect size of 0.4 \[effect size found in recent meta-analysis for similar intervention, gives 81 participants in each arm of the intervention. Questionnaire with social-demographic data in section one; and "Self-Reported Questionnaire will be administered at baseline, 6 \& 12 months follow-up. Quantitative data will be coded on a computer, cleaned and analyzed using STATA. Mann-Whitney test will be used to measure the impact of the intervention. Qualitative data will be analysed using content analysis with the