Background and Rationale Mental health literacy (MHL) is a critical determinant of mental health promotion, early recognition of mental disorders, stigma reduction, and appropriate help-seeking behaviour. In Nigeria, mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remain highly prevalent, yet mental health services are underutilised due to stigma, cultural beliefs, low awareness, and limited system capacity. Over the past two decades, various mental health literacy programmes have been implemented across schools, universities, communities, religious institutions, and internally displaced persons’ camps. However, the evidence on these interventions remains fragmented and insufficiently synthesised. A scoping review is appropriate to systematically map the available evidence, clarify the range and characteristics of mental health literacy programmes implemented in Nigeria, identify implementation challenges, and examine reported outcomes. This protocol is developed in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and the PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines. Objectives 1. To identify and map mental health literacy programmes implemented in Nigeria 2. To describe the target populations, settings, and delivery approaches of these programmes 3. To examine implementation challenges and contextual barriers 4. To summarise reported outcomes related to knowledge, stigma reduction, and help-seeking behaviour Review Questions 1. What types of mental health literacy programmes have been implemented in Nigeria? 2. Which populations and settings have these programmes targeted? 3. What challenges affect the implementation and effectiveness of these programmes? 4. What outcomes have been reported following these interventions? Eligibility Criteria (PCC Framework) Population Individuals or groups residing in Nigeria, including adolescents, students, teachers, healthcare workers, religious leaders, internally displaced persons, and community members. Concept Mental health literacy interventions aimed at improving knowledge of mental health conditions, reducing stigma, or enhancing help-seeking behaviour. Context Any Nigerian setting, including schools, universities, communities, religious institutions, healthcare facilities, or humanitarian settings. Types of Evidence Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods empirical studies, as well as systematic reviews reporting Nigerian data, published in English between 2004 and 2024. Exclusion Criteria Studies without a mental health literacy component, clinical treatment-only studies, and grey literature such as dissertations, policy documents, and conference abstracts. Information Sources The following databases will be searched: PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, African Journals Online (AJOL), Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Search Strategy A comprehensive search strategy using Boolean operators and controlled vocabulary will be employed. Example search terms include: “mental health literacy” AND Nigeria AND (education OR intervention OR awareness OR stigma). Searches will be limited to English-language publications from 2004 to 2024. Selection of Sources of Evidence Titles and abstracts will be screened independently by two reviewers. Full texts of potentially eligible studies will be assessed against the inclusion criteria. Discrepancies will be resolved through discussion or consultation with a third reviewer. The selection process will be documented using a PRISMA-ScR flow diagram. Data Charting Process Data will be extracted using a structured charting table capturing author details, year of publication, study location, design, population, sample size, intervention characteristics, outcomes, implementation challenges, and measurement tools. Data Synthesis A descriptive numerical summary will be used to present study characteristics. A thematic analysis will be conducted to synthesise intervention types, challenges, and outcomes. Evidence gaps and implications for research, practice, and policy will be identified. Ethics and Dissemination Ethical approval is not required as this review utilises published literature. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication, conference presentations, and academic seminars. PRISMA-ScR–COMPLIANT METHODS SUMMARY This scoping review is conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews and reported using the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The review applies a Population–Concept–Context framework to define eligibility criteria. A comprehensive search of six electronic databases will be conducted to identify relevant studies published between 2004 and 2024. Study selection will involve independent screening of titles, abstracts, and full texts by two reviewers. Data will be charted systematically and synthesised using descriptive and thematic analytical approaches. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION This scoping review protocol was registered prospectively on the Open Science Framework (OSF) to enhance methodological transparency and reproducibility. The review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and reported in line with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
Oguntoye et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
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