Ike Oforbuike Onyebuchi, Kwarteng Michael Agyemang, Ogbonna Grace, Dos Santos Isaura Brito, Ogiemudia Osamudiamen McHillary, Anyasodor Anayochukwu E, Antwi-Adjei Ellen Konadu, Amaechi Okechi Ulumma, Ebele Ejididke Gertrude, Ezinne Ngozika Esther, Mashige Khathutshelo Percy, Ndep Antor, Daniel-Nwosu Edith, Ekpenyong Bernadine Nsa, Simon Magakwe Tshubelela Sello, Agho Kingsley E, Dahunsi Ayomikun Nifemi, Adegboye Oyelola A, Ogbuehi Kelechi C, Osuagwu Uchechukwu Levi
Department of Optometry, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria.
Optometry Unit, Department of Clinical Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago.
PLoS One. 2025 Jun 3;20(6):e0322163. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0322163. eCollection 2025.
Mental health disorders are global concerns, but their impact varies across regions. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the influence of country-specific factors on mental health is under-researched. This study investigates the influence of country of origin on the prevalence and severity of mental health conditions among university students and staff across select SSA countries.
A cross-sectional, web-based survey using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) was conducted from 16 April to 18 November 2024. The survey was distributed online through multiple African social networks, reaching students and staff from different universities across Africa. Prevalence estimates for anxiety, depression, and stress were based on binomial distribution with Clopper-Pearson confidence intervals, while country-level differences were assessed using univariate odds ratios and multiple logistic regression.
Of the 3221 participants, aged 25.3 ± 8.6 (mean±SD), the majority (1850, 57.3%) were females. Findings revealed that Nigerians reported the highest prevalence of severe and extremely severe mental health conditions, while Ghanaians recorded the lowest levels across all mental health categories. Multivariable analysis revealed that, compared to Ghanaians, respondents from Malawi had the strongest odds for mental health challenges followed by Mozambique and Nigeria. The adjusted odds ratios (AORs) for Malawi were 4.39 (95% CI: 3.28-5.89), 3.86 (95% CI: 2.81-5.29) and 4.51 (95% CI: 3.33-6.11) for depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively.
This study found significant differences in mental health outcomes between participants from Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, and Nigeria. Malawi had the greatest risk for depression, anxiety, stress, and combinations of those conditions while Ghana reported the lowest risks. The findings emphasize the importance of considering contextual factors, such as education levels, gender, and country of origin, in understanding mental health risks. Overall, these findings underscore the critical mental health burden in sub-Saharan Africa and the need for increased access to mental health resources and targeted interventions.
心理健康障碍是全球关注的问题，但其影响在不同地区有所不同。在撒哈拉以南非洲（SSA），针对特定国家因素对心理健康的影响研究不足。本研究调查了在选定的撒哈拉以南非洲国家中，原籍国对大学生和教职员工心理健康状况的患病率和严重程度的影响。
于2024年4月16日至11月18日进行了一项横断面的基于网络的调查，使用抑郁、焦虑和压力量表-21（DASS-21）。该调查通过多个非洲社交网络在线分发，覆盖了非洲不同大学的学生和教职员工。焦虑、抑郁和压力的患病率估计基于二项分布及克洛珀-皮尔逊置信区间，而国家层面的差异则使用单变量比值比和多元逻辑回归进行评估。
在3221名年龄为25.3±8.6（均值±标准差）的参与者中，大多数（1850名，57.3%）为女性。研究结果显示，尼日利亚人报告的严重和极其严重心理健康状况的患病率最高，而加纳人在所有心理健康类别中的水平最低。多变量分析显示，与加纳人相比，马拉维的受访者面临心理健康挑战的几率最高，其次是莫桑比克和尼日利亚。马拉维在抑郁、焦虑和压力方面的调整后比值比（AOR）分别为4.39（95%置信区间：3.28 - 5.89）、3.86（95%置信区间：2.81 - 5.29）和4.51（95%置信区间：3.33 - 6.11）。
本研究发现来自加纳、马拉维、莫桑比克和尼日利亚的参与者在心理健康结果方面存在显著差异。马拉维患抑郁、焦虑、压力以及这些状况组合的风险最大，而加纳报告的风险最低。这些发现强调了在理解心理健康风险时考虑背景因素（如教育水平、性别和原籍国）的重要性。总体而言，这些发现凸显了撒哈拉以南非洲地区严重的心理健康负担以及增加获得心理健康资源和针对性干预措施的必要性。
