TY - JOUR
T1 - Cross-National variations in mental health
T2 - a cross-sectional study on depression, anxiety, and stress among university staff and students in Sub-Saharan African
AU - Ike, Oforbuike Onyebuchi
AU - Kwarteng, Michael Agyemang
AU - Ogbonna, Grace
AU - Santos, Isaura Brito dos
AU - Ogiemudia, Osamudiamen Mc Hillary
AU - Anyasodor, Anayochukwu E.
AU - Antwi-Adjei, Ellen Konadu
AU - Amaechi, Okechi Ulumma
AU - Ebele, Ejididke Gertrude
AU - Ezinne, Ngozika Esther
AU - Mashige, Khathutshelo Percy
AU - Ndep, Antor
AU - Daniel-Nwosu, Edith
AU - Ekpenyong, Bernadine Nsa
AU - Magakwe, Tshubelela Sello Simon
AU - Agho, Kingsley E.
AU - Dahunsi, Ayomikun Nifemi
AU - Adegboye, Oyelola A.
AU - Ogbuehi, Kelechi C.
AU - Osuagwu, Uchechukwu Levi
AU - Center for eyecare and Public Health Intervention Initiative (CEPHII),
PY - 2025/6
Y1 - 2025/6
N2 - Purpose 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. Method 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. Results 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. Conclusions 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.
AB - Purpose 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. Method 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. Results 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. Conclusions 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.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105007199255&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0322163
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0322163
M3 - Article
C2 - 40460138
AN - SCOPUS:105007199255
SN - 1932-6203
VL - 20
JO - PLoS ONE
JF - PLoS ONE
IS - 6
M1 - e0322163
ER -