Prevalence and predictors of relapse among adolescent patients with mental illness in Butembo city (Eastern Part of the Democratic Republic of Congo)

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of relapse in adolescents with mental illness. To carry this cross-sectional study, we recruited participants from the patients who attended healthcare services at five mental healthcare units located in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. We enrolled patients aged between 10 and 17 years old, with a history of being readmitted at least once to a mental facility. Nearly one in 10 patients with mental illness is an adolescent, and seven in 10 adolescents with mental illness are readmissions. The majority of participants were males, aged 17 years old; lived in rural settings, were illiterate, and were single mothers/fathers. The predictors of relapse are low educational level, being a female or a single mother/father, having the age of 17 years, low self-esteem, perceived poor social support, living in rural areas, and the highly expression emotions. Being treated for bipolar and substance use disorder increases the risk of relapse in adolescents. Our results highlight the burden of mental illness in adolescents.