Poor mental health in Ghana: who is at risk?

Abstract

Background: Poor mental health is a leading cause of disability worldwide with considerable negative impacts, particularly in low-income countries. Nevertheless, empirical evidence on its national prevalence in low-income countries, particularly in Africa, is limited. Additionally, researchers and policy makers are now calling for empirical investigations of the association between empowerment and poor mental health among women. We therefore sought to estimate the national prevalence of poor mental health in Ghana, explore its correlates on a national level, and examine associations between empowerment and poor mental health among women. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from a nationally representative survey conducted in Ghana in [2009][2010]. Interviews were conducted face-to-face with participants (N = 9,524 for overall sample; n = 3,007 for women in relationships). We used the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) to measure psychological distress and assessed women's attitudes about their roles in decision-making, attitudes towards intimate partner violence, partner control, and partner abuse. We used weighted multivariable multinomial regression models to determine the factors independently associated with experiencing psychological distress for our overall sample and for women in relationships. Results: Overall, 18.7% of the sample reported either moderate (11.7%) or severe (7.0%) psychological distress. The prevalence of psychological distress was higher among women than men. Overall, the prevalence of psychological distress differed by gender, marital status, education, wealth, region, health and religion, but not by age or urban/ rural location. Women who reported having experienced physical abuse, increased partner control, and who were more accepting of women's disempowerment had greater likelihoods of psychological distress (P-values < 0.05). Conclusions: Psychological distress is substantial among both men and women in Ghana, with nearly 20% having moderate or severe psychological distress, an estimate higher than those found among South African (16%) or Australian (11%) adults. Women who are disempowered in the context of intimate relationships may be particularly vulnerable to psychological distress. Results identify populations to be targeted by interventions aiming to improve mental health.

How community physical, structural, and social stressors relate to mental health in the urban slums of Accra, Ghana

“…Existing research on mental health in sub-Saharan Africa has primarily focused on individual and household risk factors, including poverty, unemployment, inadequate housing, food insecurity, gender, age, marital status, education, intimate partner violence, and HIV status (Bove and Veleggia, 2009;Cole and Tembo, 2011;de Menil et al, 2012;Dewing et al, 2013;Gruebner et al, 2012;Khumalo et al, 2012;Kuo et al, 2012;Patel and Kleinman, 2003;Myer et al, 2008;Olagunju et al, 2012;Patel et al, 2006;Pillay and Kriel, 2006;Pitpitan et al, 2012;Sipsma et al, 2013). To date there is scant population-based research on how the structural, institutional, and social dynamics in disadvantaged urban settings can contribute to mental health outcomes.…”

The Mental Health Leadership and Advocacy Program (mhLAP): a pioneering response to the neglect of mental health in Anglophone West Africa

“…Even though evidence exists for a high burden of mental disorders in the countries [6-8] most of those affected receive no treatment. For example, the World Health Organization (WHO) World Mental Health Survey revealed that only one in five of those with common but serious mental disorders in Nigeria had received any treatment in the preceding 12 months [9].…”

Caretaker mental health and family environment factors are associated with adolescent psychiatric problems in a Vietnamese sample

“…This finding suggests that further work is needed to clarify the relationship between these factors in other cultures and contexts. With regard to religious affiliation, most studies of religion and mental health in developing nations have focused on adult samples, and suggest that religious beliefs may reduce risk of mental illness (Sipsma et al, 2013), likely through increasing positive coping and social support (Steglitz et al, 2012). However, very little attention has been given to this topic among youth.…”