Staff Profile

I am a Research Assistant in public and patient involvement and engagement within the NIHR Newcastle Patient Safety Research Collaboration (PSRC). My research interests focus on mental health and the advancement of population health through meaningful public involvement in research. Prior to this, I worked with the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) – Wellcome Trust Programme, where I contributed to public mental health research and collaborated with community groups to design and implement interventions aimed at reducing stigma surrounding mental, neurological, and substance-use disorders.

Qualifications

MSc in Public Health for Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) 2022-2023

Postgraduate diploma in Health Research Methods, Pwani University 2018-2019

BSc in Nursing Sciences, Moi University 2013-2016

Judy's experience has involved quantitative and qualitative research to evaluate the effectiveness of participatory action research methods in addressing mental health stigma and reducing the treatment gap for mental disorders in Kenya. She has also conducted an empirical study and systematic review focusing on behavioural and emotional problems in children with neurological impairments in low-resource settings.

Currently, Judy is based within the NIHR Newcastle Patient Safety Research Collaboration (PSRC) and aims to conduct research on public involvement/engagement including the theory, best practice, process, and outcome evaluation of public involvement/engagement. Judy also contributes to research in mental health, neurological and substance-use disorders.

• Articles

  • Wearn A, Brennan-Tovey K, Adams EA, Alderson H, Baariu J, Cheetham M, Bartle V, Palfreyman L, Rooke V, Shenton F, Ramsay SE, Kaner E. Evaluating Process and Outcomes of Public Involvement in Applied Health and Social Care Research: A Rapid Systematic Review. Health Expectations 2025, 28(1), e70160.
  • Bitta MA, Baariu J, Grassi S, Kariuki SM, Lennox B, Newton CR. Effectiveness of participatory video in lowering stigma against people with mental, neurological and substance use disorders in Kenya. Global Mental Health 2023, 9(6), e215.
  • Bitta MA, Baariu J, Fondo E, Kariuki SM, Lennox B, Newton CR. Validating measures of stigma against those with mental illness among a community sample in Kilifi Kenya. Global Mental Health 2022, 9, 241-248.
  • Baariu J, Kariuki S, Newton C. Behavioural and emotional comorbidities in school-aged children with neurological conditions in Kilifi, Kenya, and their long-term consequences. Global Health Action 2022, 15(1).