We aim to provide a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence rates of mental health symptoms among major African populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. We include articles from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and medRxiv between 1 February 2020 and 6 February 2021, and pooled data using random-effects meta-analyses. We identify 28 studies and 32 independent samples from 12 African countries with a total of 15,071 participants. The pooled prevalence of anxiety was 37% in 27 studies, of depression was 45% in 24 studies, and of insomnia was 28% in 9 studies. The pooled prevalence rates of anxiety, depression, and insomnia in North Africa (44%, 55%, and 31%, respectively) are higher than those in Sub-Saharan Africa (31%, 30%, and 24%, respectively). We find (a) a scarcity of studies in several African countries with a high number of COVID-19 cases; (b) high heterogeneity among the studies; (c) the extent and pattern of prevalence of mental health symptoms in Africa is high and differs from elsewhere—more African adults suffer from depression rather than anxiety and insomnia during COVID 19 compared to adult populations in other countries/regions. Hence, our findings carry crucial implications and impact future research to enable evidence-based medicine in Africa.

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Purpose The purpose of the study is to explore the factors associated with the extent of security/cybersecurity audit by the internal audit function (IAF) of the firm. Specifically, the authors focused on whether IAF/CAE (certified audit executive [CAE]) characteristics, board involvement related to governance, role of the audit committee (or equivalent) and the chief risk officer (CRO) and IAF tasked with enterprise risk management (ERM) are associated with the extent to which the firm engages in security/cybersecurity audit. Design/methodology/approach For analysis, the paper uses responses of 970 CAEs as compiled in the Common Body of Knowledge database (CBOK, 2015) developed by the Institute of Internal Auditors Research Foundation (IIARF). Findings The results of the study suggest that the extent of security/cybersecurity audit by IAF is significantly and positively associated with IAF competence related to governance, risk and control. Board support regarding governance is also significant and positive. However, the Audit Committee (AC) or equivalent and the CRO role are not significant across the regions studied. Comprehensive risk assessment done by IAF and IAF quality have a significant and positive effect on security/cybersecurity audit. Unexpectedly, CAEs with security certification and IAFs tasked with ERM do not have a significant effect on security/cybersecurity audit; however, other certifications such as CISA or CPA have a marginal or mixed effect on the extent of security/cybersecurity audit. Originality/value This study is the first to describe IAF involvement in security/cybersecurity audit. It provides insights into the specific IAF/CAE characteristics and corporate governance characteristics that can lead IAF to contribute significantly to security/cybersecurity audit. The findings add to the results of prior studies on the IAF involvement in different IT-related aspects such as IT audit and XBRL implementation and on the role of the board and the audit committee (or its equivalent) in ERM and the detection and correction of security breaches.

<p class="a"><span lang="EN-US">The Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is one of the most chronic and detrimental disorders and it is considered a common disorder in childhood and adolescence. Furthermore, this disorder is associated with many problems in the health domain. As such, this study attempted to gauge the impact of mindfulness-based stress reduction on intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety sensitivity among students with generalized anxiety disorder. Therefore, it was attempted to run a quasi-experimental research, including a pre-test, a post-test and a control group, among high schools of Robat Karim in Tehran province. Having used the purposive sampling method, 30 students diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, intolerance of uncertainty and high anxiety sensitivity were selected. Then, they were randomly assigned to experimental (15 students) and control groups (15 students). Consequently, the mindfulness program was introduced to the experimental group in 8 sessions and the control group received no treatment. It should be noted that groups were assessed before and after treatment with generalized anxiety scale, anxiety sensitivity and intolerance of uncertainty. The results of analysis of covariance showed that mindfulness-based stress reduction programs significantly reduced the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, anxiety sensitivity and intolerance of uncertainty. Since mindfulness reduces the levels of two key components of generalized anxiety disorder, namely intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety sensitivity, it seems appropriate to make use of this program in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder.</span></p>

Major risk factors for diabetes, cardiovascular disorders and cancer (prostate, intestine, breast, etc.) are obesity and being overweight. This study aims to investigating the effect of neurofeedback training to food craving and mental health in overweight women. To this aim, thirty overweight women were divided into two groups; neurofeedback and control groups, using a simple random method. In this experiment, which was accompanied with pre-test and post-test with the control group, women in the experimental group received 10 sessions of neurofeedback. Both experimental and control subjects filled the food craving and general health questionnaire before and after the intervention. Univariate analysis of covariance was used for data analysis. The results showed a significant difference in food craving and mental health between the neurofeedback group and control group. The results showed that neurofeedback training can be considered as one of the complementary therapy intervention, in the field of obesity and overweight.