Cénat Jude Mary, Dromer Elisabeth, Mistry Shruti, Villarreal Daniela Gonzalez, Moshirian Farahi Seyed Mohammad Mahdi, Dalexis Rose Darly, Darius Wina Paul, Bukaka Jacqueline, Balayulu-Makila Oléa, Luyeye Noble, Derivois Daniel, Rousseau Cécile
School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Interdisciplinary Centre for Black Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; University of Ottawa Research Chair on Black Health, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
BJPsych Open. 2023 Oct 18;9(6):e196. doi: 10.1192/bjo.2023.557.
Ebola virus disease (EVD) has been shown to be associated with poor mental health in affected zones. However, no study has yet explored its impact on adolescents' mental health.
This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with depression and anxiety symptoms among adolescents in EVD-affected areas in the Equateur Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A provincial sample of adolescents aged 12-17 years ( = 14.84, s.d. = 1.49) living in the 18 urban and rural areas affected by the 2018 EVD outbreak completed a two-wave longitudinal survey. Surveys assessed symptoms of depression and anxiety, exposure to Ebola, social support and sociodemographic information.
A total of 490 participants completed the baseline and follow-up surveys, 50% of whom were female. Elevated and worsened depressive symptoms were observed among participants from the baseline (56.94%) to the follow-up (91.43%; = -11.37, < 0.001), whereas anxiety symptoms decreased from the baseline (36.33%) to follow-up (24.90%; = 4.06, < 0.001). The final generalised estimating equation model showed that anxiety symptoms decreased over time ( = -3.92, < 0.001), while depression symptoms increased ( = 4.79, < 0.001). Stigmatisation related to Ebola positively predicted anxiety ( = 5.41, < 0.001) and depression symptoms ( = 0.4452, = 0.009). Social support negatively predicted anxiety ( = -1.13, = 0.004) and depression ( = -0.98, < 0.001) symptoms but only moderated the association between stigmatisation and depression symptoms ( = -0.67, < 0.001).
Most adolescents living in EVD-affected areas experience mental health issues. Stigmatisation related to EVD and living in urban areas are the most consistent predictors of mental health problems. Nevertheless, social support remains a protective factor for depression and anxiety symptoms and a necessary resource for building resilience.
埃博拉病毒病（EVD）已被证明与受影响地区的心理健康状况不佳有关。然而，尚无研究探讨其对青少年心理健康的影响。
本研究旨在评估在新冠疫情期间，刚果民主共和国赤道省受埃博拉病毒病影响地区青少年中抑郁和焦虑症状的患病率及相关风险因素。
对居住在2018年埃博拉病毒病疫情爆发影响的18个城乡地区、年龄在12 - 17岁（平均年龄 = 14.84，标准差 = 1.49）的青少年进行省级抽样，完成两波纵向调查。调查评估了抑郁和焦虑症状、埃博拉病毒暴露情况、社会支持以及社会人口学信息。
共有490名参与者完成了基线和随访调查，其中50%为女性。从基线（56.94%）到随访（91.43%；t = -11.37，p < 0.001），参与者的抑郁症状升高且加重，而焦虑症状从基线（36.33%）到随访（24.90%；t = 4.06，p < 0.001）有所下降。最终的广义估计方程模型显示，焦虑症状随时间下降（β = -3.92，p < 0.001），而抑郁症状增加（β = 4.79，p < 0.001）。与埃博拉病毒相关的污名化正向预测焦虑（β = 5.41，p < 0.001）和抑郁症状（β = 0.4452，p = 0.009）。社会支持负向预测焦虑（β = -1.13，p = 0.004）和抑郁（β = -
