Submission ID 117202
| Issue/Objective | Nigeria has about 43% of West Africa's internally displaced persons (IDPs). This population face a high burden of mental health disorders, with limited access to effective interventions. However, Life skills education (LSE) is a promising approach to promoting mental health and psychosocial well-being in humanitarian settings. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of a culturally adapted LSE program delivered through in-person and mobile platforms among IDPs in Nigeria. |
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| Methodology/Approach | This cluster-randomized hybrid type 2 effectiveness-implementation trial will be conducted in 20 IDP camps or host communities in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Sites will be randomly assigned a 12-week LSE program delivered either through in-person peer support groups or WhatsApp-facilitated mobile groups. The study will recruit 500 participants aged 13 years and older. Intervention effectiveness outcomes include the primary outcome of change in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms assessed using the PCL-5 scale and secondary outcomes of depression, anxiety, well-being, and life skills acquisition. Implementation outcomes will be assessed using the Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM), Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM), and Feasibility of Intervention Measure (FIM). Both sets of outcomes will be compared between the in-person and mobile delivery groups. Quantitative data will be analysed using mixed-effects linear regression models, while qualitative data will be examined through reflexive thematic analysis. The study will be guided by the Reach-Effectiveness-Adoption Implementation-Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework |
| Results | The results of this intervention are expected to yield evidence of innovative and culturally accepted mental health intervention using persuasive technology for implementing LSE in humanitarian in Nigeria and similar contexts. The intervention started in January 2025 and hopes to end by April 2025 |
| Discussion/Conclusion | This study addresses key gaps in the evidence on mental health interventions for conflict-affected populations. It focuses on underserved IDP populations, evaluates the comparative effectiveness of in-person and mobile-delivered LSE, and incorporates implementation science frameworks to assess contextual factors influencing adoption, fidelity, and sustainability. The study employs a community-based participatory approach to enhance cultural relevance, acceptability, and ownership. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Bala Harri Dalhousie University Linda Liebenberg Dalhousie University Ejemai Eboreime Dalhousie University Andem Effiong Etim Duke Dalhousie University Omolayo Anjorin Dalhousie University Rita Orji Dalhousie University Chisom Obi-Jeff Brooks Insight Tunde M Ojo Federal Ministry of Health Abuja Nigeria Ihoghosa Iyamu University of British Columbia Jidda M Said University of Maiduguri Funmilayo Oguntimehin Brooks Insights Abdulrahman Ibrahim Brooks Insight Lydia Wagami National Emergency Management Agency Umar Baba Musami Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Maiduguri Asmau MC Dahiru Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Maiduguri Jesse C. Uneke David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences Uburu Raquel Crider Department of Statistics, Food Ingredient and Health Research Institute, Naalehu, HI, USA. Sanni Yaya Imperial College London, The George Institute for Global, London, UK. Vincent Agyapong Dalhousie University |
