Coproducing a culturally sensitive storytelling video intervention to improve psychosocial well-being: a multimethods participatory study with Nepalese migrant workers

Objective: This study aimed to coproduce a culturally adaptive storytelling video intervention to support the psychosocial well-being of Nepalese migrant workers.

Design: A multimethods participatory study was conducted involving three different but interconnected phases: (1) formative research involving a systematic review, pilot survey and stakeholder consultations; (2) exploration and analysis of Nepalese literature relevant to contemporary migration; and (3) coproduction of a storytelling video intervention, using participatory workshops.

Participants and settings: Convenience sample of outgoing and returnee migrant workers from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, their families and other relevant stakeholders in Dhading District of Bagmati Province, Nepal.

Results: The systematic review of 33 included studies identified five key health issues: mental health; occupational hazards; sexual health; healthcare access; and infectious diseases. In the survey (n=60), workers reported various health problems including fever/common cold (42%); mental health problems (25%); and verbal abuse (35%). Twenty interviewees identified issues related to physical health (eg, pneumonia, kidney disease) as well as mental health (eg, anxiety, depression). Nepalese literary resources primarily portrayed themes of: separation; hopelessness and helplessness; and poor workplace environments. Drawing on these findings and iterative workshops with stakeholders, a culturally sensitive storytelling video intervention was coproduced to support the psychosocial well-being of Nepalese migrant workers in GCC countries. The intervention used an animated video format with audio narration and subtitles, presenting a story centred around the struggles of an archetypal male migrant worker and their use of coping strategies for dealing with adversities.

Conclusions: This is a feasibility study conducted in a single district of Nepal; as such, the findings should be generalised cautiously. Despite these limitations, the project is testament to the value of participatory methods in the development of culturally sensitive public health interventions for marginalised groups, and points to the utility of coproduced storytelling formats in migrant health contexts. Future research is needed to evaluate feasibility and acceptability of the intervention as well as the outcomes and experiences of migrant workers who engaged with the video.