The Nigerian Mental Healthcare System and Mental Illness: A Systematic Review
Fashoto Olubunmi Yemisi*1, Ayangeaor, Joseph Iniongun2,Akinkunmi Francis3and Shongwe Nompumelelo4
1Department of Psychology, Eswatini Medical Christian University, Hhohho, Mbabane, Eswatini.
2 Department of Psychology, Faculty of The Social Sciences, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
3Assistant Director of Psychological Services, Department of Psychology, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria
4Mental Health Specialist, World Vision, Mbabane, Eswatini.
*Corresponding author
*Fashoto Olubunmi Yemisi, Department of Psychology, Eswatini Medical Christian University, Hhohho, Mbabane, Eswatini
Figure 1: Flow chart of the Study Selection Process.
Information in Figure 1 shows that the initial search generated a total of 701 articles from 4 databases (AJOL, Global Health, PsycINFO, and PubMed), which were further screened down (based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria) to the 27 publications included in this analysis.
Table 1: Summary of Studies Included in the Review.
Table 2 presents the characteristics of studies included in this review, which shows that all studies were carried out in Nigeria and published between January 2020 and June 2024. Majority of studies included in this review utilized a cross-sectional survey method 12 (44.5%), while other studies adopted a descriptive survey method 6 (22.3%), systematic review 5 (18.5%), qualitative method 2 (7.4%), mixed-method 1 (3.7%), and case study 1 (3.7%) respectively. A total sample size of 26,430 participants provided various primary data across selected studies under review.
Table 2: Characteristics of Studies Included in the review (n = 27).
Prevalence of mental illness
Table 3 presents studies with different topics that examine the prevalence of mental illness in Nigeria. It showed a summary of recent studies with various topics that investigated and reported different types of mental illnesses. These studies specifically provide empirical evidence on the prevalence of mental illness across the Nigerian populations. Studies presented in both Tables 3 and 4 explain the current status of mental health and service provision in Nigeria.
Table 3: Recent Studies That Reported Prevalence of Mental Illness in Nigeria.
In contrast, Table 4 presents a highlight of studies that investigated mental healthcare service provision in Nigeria. Highlights of the studies focused on mental healthcare service provision in Nigeria.
Table 4: Recent Studies on Mental Healthcare Service Provision in Nigeria.
Challenges in Providing Mental Healthcare
Research question 2 sought to review empirical studies that examined challenges associated with the provision of mental healthcare services in Nigeria. Evidence from the literature that challenges involved in the provision of mental healthcare services revolve around policy, infrastructure and professional training. Table 5 highlights studies that investigated the Nigerian healthcare system and mental health service provision. It provides a summary of studies that assessed the major challenges hindering a transformation of the Nigerian mental healthcare system.
Table 5: Highlight of Recent Studies on Nigeria’s Healthcare System.
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