Work

Review: Expressed interest in mobile-delivered life skills education for mental health and psychosocial support among internally displaced persons — R1/PR7

Year: 2026

Type: peer-review

Abstract: Internal displacement is associated with impaired social functioning, material deprivation, and limited access to mental health and psychosocial support services. Mobile-delivered life-skills education (mLSE) may expand access to mental health and psychosocial support services; however, its acceptability and uptake may vary by demographic, contextual, and technology-related factors. We examined factors associated with interest in using mLSE among internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria, using cross-sectional baseline survey data from 231 IDPs residing in Durumi and Wassa camps, Abuja. Participants were asked whether they would use a mobile phone to receive education or training on coping with life challenges. We estimated prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals using modified Poisson regression with robust standard errors. Most participants expressed interest in mLSE (216/231, 93.5%). Interest was more common among participants with secondary education or higher and among Wassa residents, but less common among those who did not use social media. These findings suggest that mLSE may be acceptable to many IDPs, but that delivery should consider education, digital engagement, access to and use of mobile phones, and camp context. Longitudinal and implementation science research are needed to determine whether expressed baseline interest translates into actual uptake and sustained engagement.

DOI: 10.1017/gmh.2026.10305.pr7

Authors: Andem Effiong Etim Duke, Bala Isa Harri, Ihogosa Iyamu, Abdulrahman Ibrahim, Abduljaleel Adejumo, Chisom Obi-Jeff, Attila J. J. Hertlendy, Sanni Yaya, Vincent Agyapong, Rita Orji, Ejemai Eboreime

Institutions: Dalhousie University, BC Centre for Disease Control, Florida International University, The George Institute for Global Health

Topic: ICT in Developing Communities

Subfield: Information Systems

Field: Computer Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Funders: United States Agency for International Development, Government of Canada, Grand Challenges Canada, Global Affairs Canada, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Institute of Population and Public Health

Award: G2537772968

OpenAlex ID: W7214724616

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