University of Teesside

Mental health difficulties among males are an issue of public health concern. Men are also at higher risk of suicidal ideation and self-harm and are poor at help-seeking due to factors including stigma, cultural norms and gendered expectations of masculinity. Yet, in Nigeria, a significant gap remains in media orientation intervention to create awareness on symptoms of mental health difficulties and support channels to encourage help-seeking. In essence, the current study aims to test the feasibility and acceptability of a novel intervention titled, psyChosOcial media awareNesS for SuiCIde symptoms, including other mental health PrOblems and help seeking mediUmS (CONSCIOUS) for addressing awareness of mental health difficulties in comparison to the waitlist control group for the purposes of improving men's help seeking, social support and reducing anxiety in Nigeria.

Vaccine hesitancy-defined as delayed acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite availability-remains a significant barrier to childhood immunisation uptake in Nigeria, a country with high zero-dose unvaccinated children. Several factors limit vaccine uptake, including poor awareness, misinformation, fear, anxiety and a perceived sense of conspiracy. Yet, a gap exists to address this urgent problem. The proposed study seeks to pilot the feasibility and acceptability of a novel co-produced media campaign intervention called ASSURed awareness campaign to encourage childhood vaccine uptakE (ASSURE) with parent-caregivers who are not or partially up to date with their child's vaccination. The ASSURE intervention is designed to encourage vaccine uptake and access, reduce vaccine hesitancy whilst addressing vaccine-related anxiety. The ASSURE intervention is low-intensity, lasting approximately 3-5-minute designed to raise awareness of the need for vaccination uptake and its implications for children, including their development and well-being whist addressing vaccine related anxiety and fears. The proposed study is also to pilot and test the instrument to determine effectiveness and cost effectiveness including the mechanism on why the intervention might potentially work.

Reintegrating those once affiliated with proscribed terrorist groups constitutes significant global challenges due to public stigma, poor awareness of reintegration programmes and resentment towards incentives provided to rehabilitated former members of such groups. Of central concern is the anxiety, trauma and depression suffered alongside distrust for reintegration programmes, including the genuine repentance of former members of the proscribed group. The implication is its risk in exacerbating reoffending. Yet, a gap exists to address this urgent problem. The proposed study seeks to test and pilot the feasibility and acceptability of a novel intervention called Prosociality, Empathy and Awareness Communication to aid rEintegration (PEACE) in improving mental well-being and public attitude towards reintegration. The intervention is a low-intensity intervention lasting approximately 3-5 minutes design to create awareness on the rationale behind reintegration programme, reduce anxiety, depression and foster positive attitude towards reintegration.