The prevalence of mental health problems in sub-Saharan adolescents: A systematic review.

Astrid Jörns-Presentati,Ann-Kathrin Napp,Leigh L Van Den Heuvel,Mari Lahti,Dan J Stein,Soraya Seedat,Weslin Charles,Deborah Jonker,Anja S Dessauvagie,Sharain Suliman,Renier L Swart,Elsie Breet,Ronelle Jansen,Gunter Groen,Vedat Sar

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0251689

Abstract

Background and purposeMost research regarding child and adolescent mental health prevention and promotion in low-and middle-income countries is undertaken in high-income countries. This systematic review set out to synthesise findings from epidemiological studies, published between 2008 and 2020, documenting the prevalence of mental health problems in adolescents from across sub-Saharan Africa.MethodsA systematic search of multiple databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus) and Google Scholar was conducted guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Reviewer’s manual for systematic reviews of observational epidemiological studies. Studies included reported prevalence outcomes for adolescents aged 10–19 using either clinical interviews or standardized questionnaires to assess psychopathology. Clinical samples were excluded.ResultsThe search yielded 1 549 records of which 316 studies were assessed for eligibility and 51 met the inclusion criteria. We present a qualitative synthesis of 37 of these 51 included articles. The other 14 studies reporting prevalence rates for adolescents living with HIV are published elsewhere. The prevalence of depression, anxiety disorders, emotional and behavioural difficulties, posttraumatic stress and suicidal behaviour in the general adolescent population and selected at-risk groups in 16 sub-Saharan countries (with a total population of 97 616 adolescents) are reported.

Highlights

IntroductionMental disorders have a high prevalence, chronicity and morbidity [1]. Adolescent populations are especially vulnerable to developing mental disorders [2] and contribute to the high burden of mental and substance use disorders globally [3]
Worldwide, mental disorders have a high prevalence, chronicity and morbidity [1]
Despite the fact that adolescents living in low-and middle-income countries (LIMC) are disproportionately affected, there are limited data on the prevalence of adolescent mental disorders in sub-Saharan Africa [5,6,7,8,9,10] with most research informing child and adolescent mental health promotion in LMIC being undertaken in high-income countries (HIC) [6]

Summary

Introduction

Mental disorders have a high prevalence, chronicity and morbidity [1]. Adolescent populations are especially vulnerable to developing mental disorders [2] and contribute to the high burden of mental and substance use disorders globally [3]. Despite the fact that adolescents living in low-and middle-income countries (LIMC) are disproportionately affected, there are limited data on the prevalence of adolescent mental disorders in sub-Saharan Africa [5,6,7,8,9,10] with most research informing child and adolescent mental health promotion in LMIC being undertaken in high-income countries (HIC) [6]. In a recent systematic review and meta-analysis of common mental disorders measured with the General Health Questionnaire only one study from Nigeria was included [11]. Most research regarding child and adolescent mental health prevention and promotion in low-and middle-income countries is undertaken in high-income countries. This systematic review set out to synthesise findings from epidemiological studies, published between 2008 and 2020, documenting the prevalence of mental health problems in adolescents from across sub-Saharan Africa

Results

Discussion

Conclusion