Adolescent Mental Health Self-Care Programmes in Southern Nigeria Urban Schools: A 2003 Intervention Study on Knowledge Gains and Attitude Shifts

Adolescent mental health issues have become increasingly prevalent in urban settings of Southern Nigeria, necessitating targeted interventions to enhance knowledge and shift attitudes towards healthier coping mechanisms. Participants were recruited from 10 randomly selected secondary schools across three major cities, with stratified sampling ensuring representation by gender and socio-economic status. A pre-test/post-test design was employed, supplemented by surveys that included Likert scales for measuring knowledge gains and attitude shifts. Data analysis utilised a paired t-test to compare pre- and post-intervention scores. Findings indicate a significant increase in participants' mental health knowledge scores (mean difference = 25 points, p < 0.001) following the intervention. Attitude shifts towards seeking professional help for mental health issues also showed marked improvement (proportion of positive responses: 78%, confidence interval: 95% CI 64-92). The adolescent mental health self-care programmes demonstrated a tangible impact on enhancing knowledge and positively shifting attitudes toward seeking appropriate support. Based on the study's findings, future interventions should be scaled up to broader urban areas and may include additional training for teachers in recognising signs of mental distress in their students.