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Effectiveness of participatory video in lowering stigma against people with mental, neurological and substance use disorders in Kenya

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 November 2023

Mary A. Bitta*
Affiliation:
Clinical Research-Neurosciences, KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Program, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kilifi, Kenya; and Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
Judy Baariu
Affiliation:
Clinical Research-Neurosciences, KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Program, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kilifi, Kenya
Simone Grassi
Affiliation:
Documentary Institute of Eastern Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
Symon M. Kariuki
Affiliation:
Clinical Research-Neurosciences, KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Program, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kilifi, Kenya; Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; and Department of Public Health, Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya
Belinda Lennox
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
Charles R. J. C. Newton
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health, Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya
*
Correspondence: Mary Bitta. Email: mbitta@kemri-wellcome.org
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Abstract

Background

Globally, stigma associated with mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) disorders is rampant and a barrier to good health and overall well-being of people with these conditions. Person-centred digital approaches such as participatory video may reduce stigma, but evidence on their effectiveness in Africa is absent.

Aims

To evaluate the effectiveness of participatory video in reducing mental health-related stigma in a resource-limited setting.

Method

We evaluated the effectiveness of using participatory video and face-to-face interaction between people with MNS disorders and a target audience in lowering stigma among 420 people living in Kilifi, Kenya. Changes in knowledge, attitudes and behaviour (KAB) were measured by comparing baseline scores with scores immediately after watching the participatory videos and 4 months after the intervention. Sociodemographic correlates of stigma scores were examined using multivariable linear regression models.

Results

Compared with baseline, KAB scores significantly improved at both time points, suggesting reduced stigma levels. At 4 months, the changes in scores were: knowledge (β = 0.20, 95% CI 0.16–0.25; P < 0.01), liberal attitude (β = 1.08, 95% CI 0.98–1.17; P < 0.01), sympathetic attitude (β = 0.52, 95% CI 0.42–0.62; P < 0.01), tolerant attitude (β = 0.72, 95% CI 0.61–0.83; P < 0.01) and behaviour (β = 0.37, 95% CI 0.31–0.43; P < 0.01). Sociodemographic variables were significantly correlated with KAB scores; the correlations were not consistent across the domains.

Conclusions

Participatory video is a feasible and effective strategy in improving knowledge, attitudes and intended behaviour in a resource-limited setting. Further studies are required to understand the mechanisms through which it lowers stigma and to examine long-term sustainability and the effectiveness of multicomponent interventions.

Information

Type
Paper
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution and reproduction, provided the original article is properly cited.
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
Figure 0

Table 1 Sociodemographic characteristics of study participants

Figure 1

Table 2 Baseline and post-intervention knowledge scores using the Mental Health Knowledge Schedule

Figure 2

Table 3 Baseline and post-intervention attitude scores using the Community Attitudes to Mental Illness scale

Figure 3

Table 4 Baseline and post-intervention behaviour scores using the Reported and Intended Behaviours Scale

Figure 4

Table 5 Interaction analysis between sociodemographic variables and participatory video intervention in the knowledge domain

Figure 5

Table 6 Interaction analysis between sociodemographic variables and participatory videos intervention in the attitude domain

Figure 6

Table 7 Interaction analysis between sociodemographic variables and participatory videos intervention in the behaviour domain

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