TY - JOUR
T1 - The burden and its determinants of mental health distress among adolescents dwelling in Africa
T2 - a systematic review and meta-analysis
AU - Tinsae, Techilo
AU - Shumet, Shegaye
AU - Takelle, Girmaw Medfu
AU - Rtbey, Gidey
AU - Melkam, Mamaru
AU - Andualem, Fantahun
AU - Nakie, Girum
AU - Segon, Tesfaye
AU - Koye, Selam
AU - Fentahun, Setegn
AU - Alemu, Wondale Getinet
AU - Tadesse, Gebresilassie
PY - 2024/7/18
Y1 - 2024/7/18
N2 - Background: Adolescent mental health issues are emerging as a significant public health concern across many low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa. This study aims to evaluate the aggregated prevalence and contributing risk factors of mental health distress among adolescents in Africa. Methodology: A comprehensive search of PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and HINARI databases was conducted to identify relevant articles on the prevalence and risk factors associated with mental health distress among African adolescents, published up to December 2023. The quality of the selected studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Heterogeneity among the studies was evaluated using the I² statistical test. Potential publication bias was assessed through a funnel plot and Egger’s statistical test. This systematic review was registered with PROSPERO under reference number CRD42023494665. Results: Eighteen studies encompassing data from 37,016 adolescents were included in the analysis. The overall prevalence of mental health distress among adolescents in Africa was found to be 27.34% (95% CI: 23.18–31.50). The occurrence of mental health distress is observed in older adolescents at a prevalence of 29.44% (95% CI: 23.26–35.66) and in younger adolescents at 24.73% (95% CI: 11.96–37.51). Significant risk factors identified included bullying victimization, with an odds ratio (POR) of 1.30 (95% CI: 1.16, 1.46), and experiencing hunger, with an odds ratio (POR) of 2.10 (95% CI: 1.13, 3.91). Conclusion: The findings indicate a high prevalence of mental health distress among adolescents in Africa, highlighting the widespread impact on this demographic. These results underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to prevent and address mental health distress among adolescents. Further research on a global scale is essential to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies tailored to this age group.
AB - Background: Adolescent mental health issues are emerging as a significant public health concern across many low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa. This study aims to evaluate the aggregated prevalence and contributing risk factors of mental health distress among adolescents in Africa. Methodology: A comprehensive search of PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and HINARI databases was conducted to identify relevant articles on the prevalence and risk factors associated with mental health distress among African adolescents, published up to December 2023. The quality of the selected studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Heterogeneity among the studies was evaluated using the I² statistical test. Potential publication bias was assessed through a funnel plot and Egger’s statistical test. This systematic review was registered with PROSPERO under reference number CRD42023494665. Results: Eighteen studies encompassing data from 37,016 adolescents were included in the analysis. The overall prevalence of mental health distress among adolescents in Africa was found to be 27.34% (95% CI: 23.18–31.50). The occurrence of mental health distress is observed in older adolescents at a prevalence of 29.44% (95% CI: 23.26–35.66) and in younger adolescents at 24.73% (95% CI: 11.96–37.51). Significant risk factors identified included bullying victimization, with an odds ratio (POR) of 1.30 (95% CI: 1.16, 1.46), and experiencing hunger, with an odds ratio (POR) of 2.10 (95% CI: 1.13, 3.91). Conclusion: The findings indicate a high prevalence of mental health distress among adolescents in Africa, highlighting the widespread impact on this demographic. These results underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to prevent and address mental health distress among adolescents. Further research on a global scale is essential to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies tailored to this age group.
KW - Adolescents
KW - And Africa
KW - Emotional distress
KW - Mental health distress
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85199087159&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1186/s13034-024-00782-4
DO - 10.1186/s13034-024-00782-4
M3 - Comment/debate
AN - SCOPUS:85199087159
SN - 1753-2000
VL - 18
JO - Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health
JF - Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health
IS - 1
M1 - 90
ER -
