Dr Ana Manzano

From 2020-2024, I am a co-investigator in RESPONSE, which is collaborative study between researchers from Hanoi University of Public Health, Ghana Health Service, Mental Health Authority Ghana, University of Ghana, University of Melbourne, University of Leeds and LSHTM. The study seeks to contribute to improving health systems responsiveness in low- and middle-income countries through case studies of addressing health needs of vulnerable groups in Ghana and Vietnam. RESPONSE is a 42-month collaborative mixed-methods study which uses realist evaluation as an overarching methodological framework. We plan to co-produce, implement and evaluate context-sensitive interventions to improve systems responsiveness to the needs and expectations of pregnant women, particularly those with neglected mental health problems. I am the expert methodologist in realist evaluation in the study.

You can see a video of the RESPONSE findings here, titled Improving Maternal Mental Health in Vietnam.

These are my most recent articles published in peer-reviewed journals:

Mental health stigma and health-seeking behaviors amongst pregnant women in Vietnam: a mixed-method realist study

• Thi, L. M., Manzano A., Ha BTT., Vui LT., Quynh-Chi NT., Duong DTT., Lakin K., Kane S., Mirzoev T. and Trang DTH. (2024). Mental health stigma and health-seeking behaviors amongst pregnant women in Vietnam: a mixed-method realist study. International Journal for Equity in Health 23(1): 163

Understanding the barriers to integrating maternal and mental health at primary health care in Vietnam

• Do Thi Hanh Trang, Bui Thi Thu Ha, Le Thi Vui, Nguyen Thai Quynh Chi, Le Minh Thi, Doan Thi Thuy Duong, Dang The Hung, Anna Cronin de Chavez, Ana Manzano, Kimberly Lakin, Sumit Kane, Tolib Mirzoev. (2024). Health Policy and Planning, 39(6): 541–551