%0 Journal Article
%@ 1929-0748
%I JMIR Publications
%V 11
%N 11
%P e36174
%T Developing an mHealth Intervention to Reduce COVID-19–Associated Psychological Distress Among Health Care Workers in Nigeria: Protocol for a Design and Feasibility Study
%A Akinsulore,Adesanmi
%A Aloba,Olutayo
%A Oginni,Olakunle
%A Oloniniyi,Ibidunni
%A Ibigbami,Olanrewaju
%A Seun-Fadipe,Champion Tobi
%A Opakunle,Tolulope
%A Owojuyigbe,Afolabi Muyiwa
%A Olibamoyo,Olushola
%A Mapayi,Boladale
%A Okorie,Victor Ogbonnaya
%A Adewuya,Abiodun Olugbenga
%+ Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, College of Health Sciences Building, Road 1, Ile-Ife, 220005, Nigeria, 234 8033968554, sanmilore@oauife.edu.ng
%K COVID-19
%K psychological distress
%K Nigeria
%K health care workers
%K mental health
%K well-being
%K pandemic
%K mHealth
%K mobile health
%K digital health intervention
%K health intervention
%K health care
%K smartphone
%K mobile phone
%D 2022
%7 16.11.2022
%9 Protocol
%J JMIR Res Protoc
%G English
%X Background: Globally, COVID-19–related psychological distress is seriously eroding health care workers’ mental health and well-being, especially in low-income countries like Nigeria. The use of mobile health (mHealth) interventions is now increasingly recognized as an innovative approach that may improve mental health and well-being. This project aims to develop an mHealth psychological intervention (mPsyI) to reduce COVID-19–related psychological distress among health care workers in Nigeria. Objective: Our objective is to present a study protocol to determine the level of COVID-19–related psychological distress among health care workers in Nigeria; explore health care workers’ experience of COVID-19–related psychological distress; develop and pilot test mPsyI to reduce this distress; and assess the feasibility of this intervention (such as usability, engagement, and satisfaction). Methods: A mixed (quantitative and qualitative) methods approach is used in which health care workers will be recruited from 2 tertiary health care facilities in southwest Nigeria. The study is divided into 4 phases based on the study objectives. Phase 1 involves a quantitative survey to assess the type and levels of psychosocial distress. Phase 2 collects qualitative data on psychosocial distress among health care workers. Phase 3 involves development of the mHealth-based psychological intervention, and phase 4 is a mixed methods study to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention. Results: This study was funded in November 2020 by the Global Effort on COVID-19 Health Research, and collection of preliminary baseline data started in July 2021. Conclusions: This is the first study to report the development of an mHealth-based intervention to reduce COVID-19–related psychological distress among health care workers in Nigeria. Using a mixed methods design in this study can potentially facilitate the adaptation of an evidence-based treatment method that is culturally sensitive and cost-effective for the management of COVID-19–related psychological distress among health care workers in Nigeria. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/36174 
%M 36318638
%R 10.2196/36174
%U https://www.researchprotocols.org/2022/11/e36174
%U https://doi.org/10.2196/36174
%U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36318638