Prevalence of Child Mental Health Problems in Sub-Saharan Africa

A Systematic Review

Bibliographic Data

ID23378665
AuthorsMelissa A Cortina (0000-0002-0152-9534, University of Oxford, corresponding author)
Year2012
Volume166
Issue3
Pages276
Publication date2012-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1072-4710 • E-ISSN: 1538-3628
PublisherAmerican Medical Association (AMA) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1001/archpediatrics.2011.592
PMID22393184
OpenAlexW2002170722
LanguageEN
Citations received55
References cited17

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of child mental health problems in community settings in sub-Saharan Africa. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsychInfo, supplemented by tracking of references from identified articles and personal communications with local researchers. STUDY SELECTION: Only community-based studies in sub-Saharan Africa that assessed the general psychopathology of children aged 0 to 16 years were included. For each eligible study, the following information was extracted: year of publication, country, population sampled, area type (rural or urban), sampling method and sample size (percentage boys), age range, assessment instrument, informant, diagnostic criteria, and prevalence rates of general psychopathology. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Pooled prevalence rate of psychopathology in children, identified by questionnaire and, specifically, by clinical diagnostic instruments. RESULTS: Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria, 10 of which were included in the meta-analysis. The 10 studies provided data for 9713 children from 6 countries, with substantial variation in assessment methods. Overall, 14.3% (95% CI, 13.6%-15.0%) of children were identified as having psychopathology. Studies using screening questionnaires reported higher prevalence rates (19.8%; 95% CI, 18.8%-20.7%) than did studies using clinical diagnostic instruments (9.5%; 8.4%-10.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Evidence suggests that considerable levels of mental health problems exist among children and adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa. One in 7 children and adolescents have significant difficulties, with 1 in 10 (9.5%) having a specific psychiatric disorder. There are clear sociodemographic correlates of psychopathology that may place children in areas of greatest deprivation at greatest risk.

Child psychopathology · Community studies · Environmental health · MEDLINE · Mental health · Population · Prevalence · Psychiatry · Psychopathology · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Demography · Medicine · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies