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Akinsulore A, Aloba O, Oginni O, Oloniniyi I, Ibigbami O, Seun-Fadipe C, Opakunle T, Owojuyigbe AM, Olibamoyo O, Mapayi B, Okorie VO, Adewuya A
Developing an mHealth Intervention to Reduce COVID-19–Associated Psychological Distress Among Health Care Workers in Nigeria: Protocol for a Design and Feasibility Study
Developing a mHealth intervention to reduce COVID-19 associated psychological distress among healthcare workers in Nigeria: Protocol for a Design and Feasibility Study
Adesanmi Akinsulore;
Olutayo Aloba;
Olakunle Oginni;
Ibidun Oloniniyi;
Olanrewaju Ibigbami;
Champion Seun-Fadipe;
Tolulope Opakunle;
Afolabi M. Owojuyigbe;
Olushola Olibamoyo;
Boladale Mapayi;
Victor Ogbonnaya Okorie;
Abiodun Adewuya
ABSTRACT
Background:
Globally, COVID-19 related psychological distress (CRPD) is seriously eroding healthcare workers’ (HCWs) mental health and wellbeing especially in developing countries like Nigeria. Mobile health interventions (mHealth) are now increasingly recognized as an innovative approach that may improve mental health and wellbeing. This project aims to develop a mHealth psychological intervention (mPsyl) to reduce CRPD among HCWs in Nigeria.
Objective:
To present a study protocol to determine the level of CRPD among HCW in Nigeria; explore HCWs experience of CRPD; develop and pilot-test a mPsyI to reduce CRPD and assess its feasibility (such as usability, engagement, and satisfaction).
Methods:
A mixed-method study in which HCWs will be recruited from two tertiary healthcare facilities in southwestern Nigeria. The study is divided into four phases based on the objectives. Measures of feasibility such as rates of recruitment and consent to participate will be calculated. Qualitative interviews to explore acceptability of intervention will be conducted among healthcare workers. Also, the System Usability Scale and the Mobile App Rating Scale will used to assess user’s experience and acceptability. The primary outcome for an ensuing trial will be statistically significant reductions in levels of CRPD.
Results:
This study was funded in November 2020 by the Global Effort on COVID-19 (GECO) Health Research and collection of preliminary baseline data started in July 2021.
Conclusions:
This is the first study to report the development of a mHealth-based CRPD-reducing intervention among HCWs in Nigeria. Using a mixed methods design in this innovative study can potentially facilitate the adaptation of a culturally sensitive cost-effective, and evidence-based treatment model for managing CRPD among HCWS in Nigeria.
Citation
Please cite as:
Akinsulore A, Aloba O, Oginni O, Oloniniyi I, Ibigbami O, Seun-Fadipe C, Opakunle T, Owojuyigbe AM, Olibamoyo O, Mapayi B, Okorie VO, Adewuya A
Developing an mHealth Intervention to Reduce COVID-19–Associated Psychological Distress Among Health Care Workers in Nigeria: Protocol for a Design and Feasibility Study