biostudies-literatureGetahun MNational Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) and Global Alliance for Chronic DiseasesNational Institutes of Mental HealthNIMH NIH HHSe0002685https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11376547biostudies-literatureUnknown4(9)SMART DAPPER is an implementation science study responding to mental health treatment gaps for depression and trauma-related disorders in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We report on patient experiences in a study using a Sequential, Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART) design to test first and second line non-specialist treatment using psychotherapy (Interpersonal Psychotherapy [IPT] or medication (fluoxetine [FLX]), integrated within public sector primary care in western Kenya. An embedded qualitative study conducted in-depth interviews (n = 17) and three (n = 3) focus group discussions with participants (May to October 2021). Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and translated into English; we deductively and inductively analyzed transcripts guided by grounded theoretical approaPLOS global public health"The peace that I wanted, I got": Qualitative insights from patient experiences of SMART DAPPER interventions for major depression and traumatic stress disorders in Kenya.PMC11376547R01MH113722R01 MH115512R01 MH113722R01MH115512Opiyo EAllen AMbwayo AMuchembre PWambura RRota GOluoch DNeylan TCWangia JOngeri LMeffert SMObura RRGetahun MMathai MAAarons GABurger RLfalse"The peace that I wanted, I got": Qualitative insights from patient experiences of SMART DAPPER interventions for major depression and traumatic stress disorders in Kenya.SMART DAPPER is an implementation science study responding to mental health treatment gaps for depression and trauma-related disorders in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We report on patient experiences in a study using a Sequential, Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART) design to test first and second line non-specialist treatment using psychotherapy (Interpersonal Psychotherapy [IPT] or medication (fluoxetine [FLX]), integrated within public sector primary care in western Kenya. An embedded qualitative study conducted in-depth interviews (n = 17) and three (n = 3) focus group discussions with participants (May to October 2021). Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and translated into English; we deductively and inductively analyzed transcripts guided by grounded theoretical approa2024-01-01T00:00:00Z20242026-05-02T14:19:54.547Z2024-11-21T06:54:49.236ZS-EPMC113765473923605210.1371/journal.pgph.0002685