Advantages and disadvantages of digital mental health initiatives in Nigeria – a qualitative interview study

Abstract

Background

The impact of COVID-19 and its mitigation measures have exacerbated the global mental health crisis. Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) may have the potential to address health system gaps and global health inequalities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Aims

This thesis aims to map the current state of DMHIs in Nigeria and illustrate their progress, limitations, and challenges.

Methods

Twenty interviews were conducted with researchers, healthcare providers, and digital health experts. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Then data were coded and analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

The majority of DMHIs in Nigeria are private mental health service delivery platforms that connect directly to mental health professionals. The target audience encompasses all mental health conditions and ages. Advantages of DMHIs include increasing efficiency, accessibility, addressing stigma, and filling the mental health service gap. Disadvantages include skepticism, limitations of applicability, lack of accessibility to internet and technology, lack of sustainability and infrastructure, and lack of funding and policies.

Conclusion

The lessons learned in the Nigerian context can inform the delivery of DMHIs in other low-resource settings. Future research should examine user and provider feedback of DMHIs to allow for comparative analysis, more conclusive and replicable results to inform DMHI design and implementation.

Keywords:

• digital health
• mental health
• Nigeria
• LMIC

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.