Stigma Reduction Interventions for Mental Illness: A Systematic Review of Programs Implemented in Nigerian Communities

Stigma toward mental illness is a pervasive barrier to care in Nigeria, and community-based stigma reduction programs have been implemented with variable rigor and documentation. This study conducts a systematic review of stigma reduction interventions implemented in Nigerian communities between 2015 and 2025. Electronic databases including PubMed, AJOL, and CINAHL will be searched using standardized terms, supplemented by grey literature and reports from NGOs and government health programs. Eligible studies will include controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, and pre-post evaluations targeting mental illness stigma in Nigerian community settings. Data will be extracted using a standardized template, and methodological quality will be assessed with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). A narrative synthesis will organize findings by intervention type, target population, geographic zone, and outcome measures. Expected findings include a predominance of contact-based education and media campaigns, with limited long-term follow-up data. This review will identify evidence gaps, provide recommendations for program developers and funders, and advocate for standardized stigma measurement across Nigerian community mental health initiatives. Keywords: stigma reduction, mental illness, Nigeria, systematic review, community intervention