Mental health research in the lower-middle-income countries of Africa and Asia during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review

Kar, Sujita Kumar; Oyetunji, Tosin Philip; Prakash, Aathira J.; Ogunmola, Olusegun Ayomikun; Tripathy, Sarvodaya; Lawal, Monsurat M.; Sanusi, Zainab K.; Arafat, S. M. Yasir

doi:10.1016/j.npbr.2020.10.003

Cited by 45 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 64 publications

(78 reference statements)

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“…These aspects are highly prominent in low- and middle income countries which might further increase the risk for mental health problems. A recent review on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in low- and middle income countries across Asia and Africa [ 29 ] points out that most studies investigating this topic report increased levels of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, adjustment disorders, addiction problems, sleep disorders, and anxiety disorders; the lack of thorough investigation of mental health in general and the poor quality of infrastructure for prevention and intervention remain pressing problems in low- and middle income countries.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in the general population: a comparison between Germany and the UK

2021

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Background The COVID-19 pandemic has led to dramatic social and economic changes in daily life. First studies report an impact on mental health of the general population showing increased levels of anxiety, stress and depression. In this study, we compared the impact of the pandemic on two culturally and economically similar European countries: the UK and Germany. Methods Participants (UK = 241, German = 541) completed an online-survey assessing COVID-19 exposure, impact on financial situation and work, substance and media consumption, mental health using the Symptom-Check-List-27 (SCL-27) and the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire. Results We found distinct differences between the two countries. UK responders reported a stronger direct impact on health, financial situation and families. UK responders had higher clinical scores on the SCL-27, and higher prevalence. Interestingly, German responders were less hopeful for an end of the pandemic and more concerned about their life-stability. Conclusion As 25% of both German and UK responders reported a subjective worsening of the general psychological symptoms and 20–50% of German and UK responders reached the clinical cut-off for depressive and dysthymic symptoms as well as anxieties, it specifically shows the need for tailored intervention systems to support large proportions of the general public.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in the general population: a comparison between Germany and the UK

2021

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“…On the contrary, having up-to-date and accurate health information and taking precautionary measures have been found to be protective against stress, anxiety, and depression [ 21 ]. However, factors associated with psychological distress in Southern Africa during the ongoing pandemic have not been widely investigated [ 25 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Suicidal Ideation and Predictors of Psychological Distress during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Eswatini: A Population-Based Household Telephone Survey

Shongwe

Huang

2021

IJERPH

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The unpredictability of the COVID-19 pandemic can induce psychological distress in individuals. We investigated perceived stressors, prevalence of psychological distress and suicidal ideation, and predictors of psychological distress among adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Eswatini. This study was a cross-sectional, population-based household telephone survey of 993 conveniently sampled adults (18+ years) from all the four administrative regions of Eswatini. Data were collected between 9 June and 18 July 2020 during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the country was under a partial lockdown. COVID-19-related psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler 6-item Psychological Distress Scale (K6). We performed weighted modified Poisson regression analyses to identify significant predictors of moderate/severe psychological distress (K6 scores: ≥5). The weighted prevalences of moderate (K6 scores: 5–12) and severe psychological distress (K6 scores: ≥13) were 41.7% and 5.4%, respectively. Participants reported several perceived COVID-19-related stressors, including worries and fears of the contagion-specific death, serious need for food and money, and concerns about loss of income or business. The weighted prevalence of suicidal ideation was 1.5%. Statistically significant predictors of increased risk for moderate/severe psychological distress included living in the Hhohho and Manzini regions; feeling not well informed about COVID-19; feeling lonely; having received COVID-19 food or financial relief from the government; feeling burdened by the lockdown; being married; and being youth (18–24 years). The results call for the government to urgently augment the provision of mental health services during the pandemic. Mental health practitioners and programs may use several stressors and risk factors identified in this study to inform interventions and government policies aimed at reducing psychological distress induced by the pandemic.

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“…For example, a review assessing the prevalence of depression among universities students in low and middle income countries (LMICs) and that included three studies in Africa, found a depression prevalence of 34.2% for African students [36]. On another side, while focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic mental health impact amid the general population in Africa during this pandemic, there is a scarcity of review articles [37]. Nevertheless, a systematic review of the prevalence of anxiety among the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic found that the prevalence in Africa was 61.8% (95% CI, 57%-66.4%) [38], which is higher than the one we found.…”

Section: General Interpretation Of the Results In The Context Of Other Evidencementioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 pandemic and mental health of universities’ students in Africa: a systematic review

Tiwa¹,

Wouna²,

Endomba³

2021

Preprint

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| This a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary.Results: A total of 12 studies were included for a sample size of 7,293 university students spread over seven countries. The overall quality of finally retained studies was moderate, and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21-items (DASS-21) was used in 50% of these studies. We found that the prevalence of depression varied from 21.3% to 78%, with the frequency of severe depression prevalence ranged from 9.7% to 31.5%. We found that the prevalence of all anxiety levels (at least mild) ranged from 27.1% to 64.5%, with a frequency of severe anxiety going from 9.4% to 29.9%. The prevalence of mild to severe stress varied between 22.2% and 47.8%, with severe cases frequencies varying between 12.8% and 17.5%. The most reported factors associated with depression/ anxiety/ stress were poor social support, low economic status and female gender.Conclusion: Despite limited by the unrepresentativeness of some African regions, and the heterogeneity regarding the tool(s) used to assess outcomes of interest, this systematic review showed high rates of depression, anxiety and stress among African universities' students during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

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Mental health research in the lower-middle-income countries of Africa and Asia during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review

Cited by 45 publications

References 64 publications

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in the general population: a comparison between Germany and the UK

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in the general population: a comparison between Germany and the UK

Suicidal Ideation and Predictors of Psychological Distress during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Eswatini: A Population-Based Household Telephone Survey

COVID-19 pandemic and mental health of universities’ students in Africa: a systematic review

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