Adeleke Olumide Thomas, Adekunle Wulaimat Abimbolanle, Oduniyi Oludaisi Adeshina, Akinbode Akeem Opeyemi, Oluwasanya Alarape Naomi, Aibangbee Omorovbiye, Orji Eloho Joy, Aderemi Temitayo Olabode, Ariba Adekunle Joseph
Bowen University, Iwo, Nigeria.
Jericho Specialist Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Discov Ment Health. 2025 Jun 12;5(1):87. doi: 10.1007/s44192-025-00221-6.
The World Health Organization's Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) intervention guide (IG) offers evidence-based recommendations and instruments for evaluating and comprehensive care of priority disorders. Its objective is to close the mental health gap; yet, this gap remains, characterized by substantial differences in access to and quality of care. Family physicians are essential in bridging this gap; nevertheless, their awareness and engagement in executing mhGAP remain ambiguous. This study explored family physicians' awareness and involvement levels in the implementation of mental health services in Nigeria as well as the perceived facilitators and barriers affecting their participation in the "Mental Health Gap Action Programme".
This study employed a descriptive participatory action research design, utilizing semi-structured key informant interviews with 24 family physicians nationwide, representing all six geopolitical zones. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using inductive coding and content analysis, revealing key themes and patterns that informed the study's findings, which were represented thematically. RESULTS: Family physicians demonstrated varying awareness of mental health guidelines and interventions. Involvement levels ranged from minimal to proactive as there was no national unified guide. Facilitators to mhGAP involvement and implementation included training of physicians, patient relationships, and multidisciplinary collaboration while barriers included time constraints, stigma, and systemic gaps.
This study reveals the varying levels of mhGAP awareness and involvement among Nigerian family physicians. While some are proactive, many show limited engagement. Training, patient relationships, and collaboration facilitate involvement, while time constraints, stigma, and systemic gaps hinder it. Targeted interventions are needed to bridge the mental health action gap.
世界卫生组织的精神卫生差距行动规划（mhGAP）干预指南（IG）为重点疾病的评估和综合治疗提供了循证建议和工具。其目标是缩小精神卫生差距；然而，这一差距依然存在，其特点是在获得治疗的机会和治疗质量方面存在显著差异。家庭医生对于弥合这一差距至关重要；尽管如此，他们在执行mhGAP方面的意识和参与情况仍不明确。本研究探讨了尼日利亚家庭医生在实施精神卫生服务方面的意识和参与程度，以及影响他们参与“精神卫生差距行动规划”的促进因素和障碍。
本研究采用描述性参与式行动研究设计，对全国代表所有六个地缘政治区的24名家庭医生进行了半结构化关键信息人访谈。访谈内容逐字记录，并采用归纳编码和内容分析进行分析，揭示了为研究结果提供信息的关键主题和模式，并以主题形式呈现。
家庭医生对精神卫生指南和干预措施的认识程度各不相同。由于没有国家统一指南，参与程度从最低到积极主动不等。mhGAP参与和实施的促进因素包括医生培训、医患关系和多学科协作，而障碍包括时间限制、污名化和系统差距。
本研究揭示了尼日利亚家庭医生在mhGAP意识和参与程度上的差异。虽然一些人积极主动，但许多人参与度有限。培训、医患关系和协作促进了参与，而时间限制、污名化和系统差距则阻碍了参与。需要有针对性的干预措施来弥合精神卫生行动差距。
