Terminating the Revolving Cycle of Silence: A Co-Production Study of a Media Campaign Intervention to Encourage Males Affected by Intimate Partner Violence Help-Seeking in Nigeria.

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) has profound negative consequences for affected men's physical and mental well-being globally. Yet, limited attention has been given to the coproduction of media campaign interventions with male survivors to promote help‑seeking in Nigeria-an area to which this study makes an original and significant contribution through an intersectionality-informed approach. Ten male participants with lived experience of IPV took part in a focus group discussion in Delta State, Nigeria, and the data were analyzed using thematic analysis guided by intersectionality theory. The findings indicate that economic vulnerability functions as a key precipitating condition for abuse, while entrenched socio‑cultural norms surrounding masculinity contribute to silencing, invisibility, and constrained help‑seeking. The intersection of media outlets, length, captivating messages, authority, relatability, and resonance was perceived as crucial to instill trust and aid an effective media campaign to encourage help-seeking. Collectively, these insights provide a robust empirical foundation for policymakers and governments globally to inform the design of evidence‑based media campaign interventions that address intersectional barriers to enhance the visibility of male IPV victimization and strengthen help-seeking behavior, alongside accessible pathways to support.