Developing a mHealth intervention to reduce COVID-19 associated psychological distress among healthcare workers in Nigeria: Protocol for a Design and Feasibility Study (Preprint)

Abstract

Background: Globally, COVID-19 related psychological distress (CRPD) is seriously eroding healthcare workers’ (HCWs) mental health and wellbeing especially in the developing country like Nigeria. Mobile health interventions (mHealth) are now increasingly recognized as an innovative approach that can potentially improve mental health and wellbeing. Therefore, this project aims to develop a mHealth psychological intervention(mPsyl) to reduce CRPD among HCWs in Nigeria.

Objective: To develop and assess the feasibility, acceptability, and pilot-test a mPsyI to reduce CRPD among HCWs in Nigeria

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 which involve: (i) quantitative survey to assess the levels and factors associated with CRPD; (ii) qualitative survey to explore HW experience of CRPD; (iii) the development of the mPsyI, and (iv) feasibility, acceptability, and pilot testing of the mPsyI. The primary outcome will be statistically significant reductions in levels of CRPD.

Results: This study was funded in November 2020 by the UK Medical Research Council and is currently ongoing.

Conclusions: This is the first study to report the development of a mHealth-based CRPD reducing intervention among HCWs in Nigeria.