The Link Between Nutrition and Mental Health in Sub-Saharan African Adolescents: Findings from the Global School-Based Health Survey

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gizem Arat
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
School Based ◽  
Sub Saharan

scholarly journals A multi-country analysis of the prevalence and factors associated with bullying victimisation among in-school adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa: evidence from the global school-based health survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Gyan Aboagye ◽  
Abdul-Aziz Seidu ◽  
John Elvis Hagan ◽  
James Boadu Frimpong ◽  
Eugene Budu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Suicidal Attempt ◽  
Network Systems ◽  
School Based ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Bullying Victimisation ◽  
Victims Of Bullying

Abstract Background Over the past few years, there has been growing public and research interest in adolescents’ experiences with various forms of bullying victimisation because of their psychological, emotional, and/ or physical consequences. The present study examined the prevalence of bullying victimisation and its associated factors among in-school adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods Using data from the Global School-based Health Survey (GSHS) from 2010 to 2017 of eleven sub-Saharan African countries, a sample of 25,454 in-school adolescents was used for analysis. Statistical analyses included frequencies, percentages, Pearson chi-square and multivariable logistic regression. Results were presented as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) at 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results The overall prevalence of bullying victimisation among the respondents was 38.8%. The prevalence was lowest in Mauritius (22.2%) and highest in Sierra Leone (54.6%). Adolescents who felt lonely [aOR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.53, 1.80], had history of anxiety [aOR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.41, 1.66], suicidal ideation [aOR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.17, 1.39], suicidal attempt [aOR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.72, 2.02], current users of marijuana [aOR = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.38, 1.84], and truants at [aOR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.34, 1.52] were more likely to be victims of bullying. Conversely, adolescents who had peer support were less likely to be victims of bullying [aOR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.73, 0.82]. Adolescents aged 15 years or older had lower odds of experiencing bullying victimization compared to their counterparts aged 14 years or younger [aOR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.69, 0.78]. Conclusion Our findings suggest that age, loneliness, anxiety, suicidal ideation, suicidal attempt, and current use of marijuana are associated with increased risk of bullying victimisation. School-wide preventative interventions (e.g., positive behavioural strategies- Rational Emotive Behavioral Education, [REBE], peer educator network systems, face-face counseling sessions, substance use cessation therapy) are essential in promoting a positive school climate and reduce students’ bullying victimisation behaviours.

scholarly journals Correlates of bullying victimization among school adolescents in Nepal: Findings from 2015 Global School-Based Student Health Survey Nepal

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamanna Neupane ◽  
Achyut Raj Pandey ◽  
Bihungum Bista ◽  
Binaya Chalise
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
School Bullying ◽  
Bullying Victimization ◽  
Student Health ◽  
School Absenteeism ◽  
School Based

Abstract Background : Bullying is an emerging risk factor for poor mental health outcomes adversely affecting children and adolescents. However, it has rarely caught the attention of the health and education sector due to lack of evidence in many countries including Nepal. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with bullying behavior among adolescent students in Nepal.Methods : We used nationally representative data from the Nepal Global School-Based Student Health Survey that involved two-stage cluster sampling design with the use of a standard set of self-administered questionnaires. Complex sample analysis was done to determine the prevalence and correlates of bullying among 6529 students of 68 schools studying in grade 7 to 11 using descriptive analysis and multivariable logistic regression.Results : The overall prevalence of bullying among Nepalese school adolescents was 51% (55.7% in male and 46.1% in female). Bullied adolescents more commonly reported mental health problems with higher risk of loneliness (aOR 1.39, 95% CI: 1.14, 1.69), anxiety (aOR 1.97, 95% CI: 1.57, 2.47), suicide attempt (aOR 1.99, 95% CI: 1.48, 2.67), school absenteeism due to fear (aOR 1.72, 95% CI: 1.36, 2.19) and school truancy (aOR 1.43, 95% CI: 1.14, 1.79). A significant association was seen between bullying victimization and negative health behaviors like involvement in physical fights (aOR 3.70, 95% CI: 3.00, 4.56) and tobacco use (aOR 1.99, 95% CI: 1.09, 3.61).Conclusion: School bullying is significantly associated with mental health factors like loneliness, anxiety, suicide attempt, school absenteeism and risky behavioral factors like smokeless tobacco use and involvement in physical fight. The insights provided by these findings have important implications for planning anti-bullying strategies in school settings in the Nepalese context.

scholarly journals Psychoactive substance use, family context and mental health among Brazilian adolescents, National Adolescent School-based Health Survey (PeNSE 2012)

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 46-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah Carvalho Malta ◽  
Maryane Oliveira-Campos ◽  
Rogério Ruscitto do Prado ◽  
Silvania Suely Caribé Andrade ◽  
Flávia Carvalho Malta de Mello ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Family Background ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Family Context ◽  
Negatively Associated ◽  
School Based ◽  
The Government

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between the consumption of psychoactive substances (tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs) and demographic variables, mental health and family context among school-aged children. METHODS: The National Adolescent School-based Health Survey was held with a national sample of 109,104 students. Data regarding demographic variables, family background and mental health were collected. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the associations of interest. RESULTS: Multivariate analyses showed that alcohol consumption was higher among girls, drug experimentation was more frequent among boys and that there was no difference between sexes for smoking. Being younger and mulatto were negatively associated with the use of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs. Also negatively associated with such risk behaviors were characteristics of the family context represented by: living with parents, having meals together and parental supervision (when parents know what the child does in their free time). Moreover, characteristics of mental health such as loneliness and insomnia were positively associated with use of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs. Not having friends was positively associated with use of tobacco and illicit drugs and negatively associated with alcohol use. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows the protective effect of family supervision in the use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs and, on the contrary, the increasing use of substances according to aspects of mental health, such as loneliness, insomnia and the fact of not having friends. The study's findings may support actions from health and education professionals, as well as from the government and families in order to prevent the use of these substances by adolescents.

scholarly journals Bullying and associated factors among Brazilian adolescents: analysis of the National Adolescent School-based Health Survey (PeNSE 2012)

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 131-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah Carvalho Malta ◽  
Rogério Ruscitto do Prado ◽  
Antônio José Ribeiro Dias ◽  
Flavia Carvalho M. Mello ◽  
Marta Angelica Iossi Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Behaviors ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Family Context ◽  
Male Students ◽  
Individual Risk ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Education And Health ◽  
School Based

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of bullying from the victim's perspective in Brazilian school children and to analyze its association with individual and family context variables. METHODS: An analysis of the data on 109,104 adolescents, obtained by the National Adolescent School-based Health Survey, held in schools in 2012, was carried out. An association model between bullying and explanatory variables was tested in different contexts: sociodemographic, risk behaviors, mental health and family context. Univariate and multivariate analyzes were performed, calculating the Odds Ratio and confidence intervals. RESULTS: The prevalence of bullying found in this study was of 7.2% (95%CI 6.6 - 7.8). A higher chance of bullying was found among male students (OR = 1.58; 95%CI 1.51 - 1.66), with an inverse relation between age and bullying, with the magnitude of risk among adolescents younger than 13 years of age being higher when compared to those with 16 years of age or more. Of individual risk behaviors, only being a smoker remained in the final model (OR = 1.11; 95%CI 1.01 - 1.23). Mental health variables associated with bullying were: feeling lonely (OR = 2.66; 95%CI 2.52 - 2.81), insomnia (OR = 1.92; 95%CI 1.80 - 2.05), not having friends (OR = 1.71; 95%CI 1.54 - 1.89), and, in the family context, those who skip class without telling their parents (OR = 1.13; 95%CI 1,07 - 1,19) and those who suffer physical abuse by family members (OR = 2.03; 95%CI 1.91 - 2.146). CONCLUSION: Bullying was associated to male students, younger, of black color, smokers, with mental health vulnerabilities and victims of domestic violence. This suggests the need for a holistic approach from education and health professionals, parents and the community in seeking measures for the prevention of bullying.

scholarly journals Psychosocial distress among in-school adolescents in Mozambique: a cross-sectional study using the Global School-Based Health Survey data

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hubert Amu ◽  
Abdul-Aziz Seidu ◽  
Wonder Agbemavi ◽  
Bernard Owusu Afriyie ◽  
Bright Opoku Ahinkorah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Psychosocial Distress ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Lower Odds ◽  
School Based

Abstract Background Poor mental health remains the leading cause of disability, with considerable negative impacts in low- and middle-income countries. In this study, we examined the prevalence and correlates of psychosocial distress among in-school adolescents in Mozambique. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of 1918 in-school adolescents, using data from the 2015 Mozambique Global School-Based Health Survey. Descriptive and inferential statistics were adopted in analysing the data. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results The prevalence of psychosocial distress was 21.2% (24.1% females and 18.5% males). Older adolescents [AOR = 1.681, 95% CI = 1.233–2.292] had higher odds of experiencing psychosocial distress, compared with younger adolescents. In terms of sex, males [AOR = 0.755, 95% CI 0.601–0.950] had lower odds of experiencing psychosocial distress, compared with females. Adolescents who were bullied [AOR = 1.451, 95% CI 1.150–1.831], physically attacked [AOR = 1.802, 95% CI 1.404–2.313], and engaged in a physical fight [AOR = 1.376, 95% CI 1.070–1.769] were respectively more likely to experience psychosocial distress than those who did not. Conversely, adolescents who had close friends [AOR = 0.503, 95% CI 0.372–0.681] had lower odds of being psychosocially distressed than those who did not have close friends. Conclusion The prevalence of psychosocial distress among in-school adolescents in Mozambique is relatively high. The country may not be able to meet the Sustainable Development Goal 3.4 target of promoting mental health and wellbeing of all by the year 2030 if current rates of psychosocial distress persist among in-school adolescents. Mental health education and counselling as well as social support from friends should be intensified to reduce mental health problems and enable adolescents to effectively deal with the psychosocial challenges encountered in their transition from childhood to adulthood.

scholarly journals Simple, Stigma-free, Scalable, and School-based: A Four-step Approach to Developing Adolescent Mental Health Treatments in Sub Saharan Africa

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom L Osborn ◽  
Christine Wasanga
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Healthcare Access ◽  
Intervention Development ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
School Based ◽  
Sub Saharan

-Adolescent mental health problems—which are associated with many negative life outcomes—are prevalent in low-income regions such as those in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) yet many youths suffering from these problems never get treatment.-Existing treatments are inaccessible to SSA youths because they are long, costly, and require expert delivery in a setting where incomes are low, and a paucity of caregivers exist and where social stigma limits help-seeking.-Most of the efforts to develop interventions for youth mental have been led by researchers from Western high-income countries and can be criticized as socio-culturally inappropriate and costly. -To guide intervention development efforts, we propose a four-step approach that encourages researchers to develop mental health interventions that are simple, stigma-free, scalable and school-based. Through this four-step approach, researchers can expand mental healthcare access in SSA by developing interventions that circumvent existing barriers.

scholarly journals A Multi-Country Analysis of Prevalence of Anxiety-Induced Sleep Disturbance and Its Associated Factors among In-School Adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa Using the Global School-Based Health Survey

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 234
Author(s):  
Bright Opoku Ahinkorah ◽  
Richard Gyan Aboagye ◽  
Francis Arthur-Holmes ◽  
John Elvis Hagan ◽  
Joshua Okyere ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Disturbance ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
P Value ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
School Based ◽  
Sub Saharan

(1) Background: Among the health problems affecting adolescents, anxiety disorders are considered among the health-compromising or debilitating outcomes that affect adolescents’ mental health. We examined the prevalence and factors associated with anxiety-induced sleep disturbance among in-school adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). (2) Methods: This study involved a cross-sectional analysis of data from the Global School-Based Health Survey (GSHS). We analyzed data on 25,454 in-school adolescents from eleven (11) countries in SSA with a dataset between 2010 and 2017. Two multivariable logistic regression models were built to determine the strength of the association between anxiety-induced sleep disturbance and the explanatory variables. The results of the regression analyses were presented using adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and their respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Statistical significance was set at p-value < 0.05. (3) Results: The overall prevalence of anxiety-induced sleep disturbance among in-school adolescents in SSA was 12.2%. The prevalence ranged from 5.1% in Tanzania to 20.5% in Benin. The odds of anxiety-induced sleep disturbance was higher among adolescents aged 15 and above [aOR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.15, 1.39] compared to those aged 14 or younger. Additionally, the odds of anxiety-induced sleep disturbance was higher among adolescents who were bullied [aOR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.42, 1.67], those that felt lonely [aOR = 3.85, 95% CI = 3.52, 4.22], those who had suicidal ideations [aOR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.52, 1.90], those who had suicidal plan [aOR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.13, 1.41], those who have had suicidal attempt [aOR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.08, 1.35], those who used marijuana [aOR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.06, 1.52], and those who were truant at school [aOR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.22, 1.46]. However, male adolescents had lower odds of anxiety-induced sleep disturbance [aOR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.81, 0.95], compared to their female counterparts. (4) Conclusions: We found a relatively high prevalence of anxiety-induced sleep disturbance among in-school adolescents in SSA. Higher age, being female, being bullied, loneliness, having suicidal ideations/plan/attempt, use of marijuana and truancy were risk factors for anxiety-induced sleep disturbance. The findings, therefore, highlight the urgency for policies (e.g., early school-based screening) and interventions (e.g., Rational Emotive Behavioral Education (REBE), Social Emotional Learning (SEL) that target in-school adolescents within the most at-risk populations of anxiety-induced sleep disturbance in SSA.

scholarly journals Bullying Victimization among In-School Adolescents in Ghana: Analysis of Prevalence and Correlates from the Global School-Based Health Survey

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 292
Author(s):  
Richard Gyan Aboagye ◽  
Abdul-Aziz Seidu ◽  
John Elvis Hagan ◽  
James Boadu Frimpong ◽  
Joshua Okyere ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Youth Violence ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Bullying Victimization ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
School Based

(1) Background: Although bullying victimization is a phenomenon that is increasingly being recognized as a public health and mental health concern in many countries, research attention on this aspect of youth violence in low- and middle-income countries, especially sub-Saharan Africa, is minimal. The current study examined the national prevalence of bullying victimization and its correlates among in-school adolescents in Ghana. (2) Methods: A sample of 1342 in-school adolescents in Ghana (55.2% males; 44.8% females) aged 12–18 was drawn from the 2012 Global School-based Health Survey (GSHS) for the analysis. Self-reported bullying victimization “during the last 30 days, on how many days were you bullied?” was used as the central criterion variable. Three-level analyses using descriptive, Pearson chi-square, and binary logistic regression were performed. Results of the regression analysis were presented as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) at 95% confidence intervals (CIs), with a statistical significance pegged at p < 0.05. (3) Results: Bullying victimization was prevalent among 41.3% of the in-school adolescents. Pattern of results indicates that adolescents in SHS 3 [aOR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.25, 0.47] and SHS 4 [aOR = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.21, 0.44] were less likely to be victims of bullying. Adolescents who had sustained injury [aOR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.63, 2.73] were more likely to be bullied compared to those who had not sustained any injury. The odds of bullying victimization were higher among adolescents who had engaged in physical fight [aOR = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.42, 2.25] and those who had been physically attacked [aOR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.32, 2.27]. Similarly, adolescents who felt lonely were more likely to report being bullied [aOR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.08, 2.08] as against those who did not feel lonely. Additionally, adolescents with a history of suicide attempts were more likely to be bullied [aOR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.11, 2.38] and those who used marijuana had higher odds of bullying victimization [aOR = 3.36, 95% CI = 1.10, 10.24]. (4) Conclusions: Current findings require the need for policy makers and school authorities in Ghana to design and implement policies and anti-bullying interventions (e.g., Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Emotive Behavioral Education (REBE), Marijuana Cessation Therapy (MCT)) focused on addressing behavioral issues, mental health and substance abuse among in-school adolescents.

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