Trends in the prevalence and severity of depressive symptoms among undergraduate students at a South African University, 2016–2019

2020 ◽  
pp. 008124632097775
Author(s):  
Kim-Louise Rousseau ◽  
Sabrina Thompson ◽  
Lea-Ann Pileggi ◽  
Michelle Henry ◽  
Kevin GF Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
University Students ◽  
Mood Disorders ◽  
South African ◽  
High Income ◽  
First Year ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low And Middle Income

University students are particularly vulnerable to mood disorders. This vulnerability may be increasing, with recent investigations reporting sharp rises in the prevalence of depression and other psychiatric disorders. Moreover, previous studies indicate that first-year undergraduates tend to show more depression and suicidal ideation than students in subsequent years. However, most studies in the extant literature emerge from high-income countries in the global north; relatively few focus on university students in low- and middle-income countries such as South Africa. Because students in low- and middle-income countries are more likely to be exposed to crime and trauma, and less likely to have easily accessible mental health services, they might be at even higher risk for developing mood disorders than their counterparts in high-income countries. Furthermore, most previous studies of mental health in university students analyse cross-sectional data and therefore cannot comment on longitudinal patterns in the data. To fill these knowledge gaps, the current study aimed to describe recent trends in depression and suicidal ideation among South African university students. We analysed both archival ( n = 2593) and original ( n = 499) Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition reports, sampled between 2016 and 2019. As expected, depression and suicidal ideation scores increased significantly over time, and first-year students reported significantly more depression and suicidal ideation than students in subsequent years of study. These findings suggest that preventive interventions during sensitive periods of undergraduate study are imperative and provide a foundation for treatment strategies tailored to the needs of the most vulnerable South African students.

Academic and Scientific Authorship Practices: A Survey Among South African Researchers

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 412-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elsie Breet ◽  
Jan Botha ◽  
Lyn Horn ◽  
Leslie Swartz
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
High Income ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Perceived Ability ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Scientific Authorship ◽  
Level Of Agreement ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Empirical studies of authorship practices in high-income countries have been conducted, while research on this issue is scarce in low- and middle-income countries. A survey was conducted among South African researchers who have published in peer-reviewed journals, to explore their understanding of and ability to apply academic authorship criteria. A total of 967 researchers participated in the survey; 88% of respondents had knowledge of academic authorship criteria, while only 52% found it easy to apply the criteria. More respondents experienced disagreement regarding who qualifies for coauthorship compared with authorship order (59% vs. 48%). Disagreement was mostly linked to different ways of valuing or measuring contributions. Level of agreement with academic authorship criteria was higher than the perceived ability to apply the criteria.

scholarly journals Disability and treatment of specific mental and physical disorders across the world

2008 ◽  
Vol 192 (5) ◽  
pp. 368-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan Ormel ◽  
Maria Petukhova ◽  
Somnath Chatterji ◽  
Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola ◽  
Jordi Alonso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
High Income ◽  
World Health ◽  
Role Functioning ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
The World ◽  
Physical Disorders ◽  
Low And Middle Income

BackgroundAdvocates of expanded mental health treatment assert that mental disorders are as disabling as physical disorders, but little evidence supports this assertion.AimsTo establish the disability and treatment of specific mental and physical disorders in high-income and low- and middle-income countries.MethodCommunity epidemiological surveys were administered in 15 countries through the World Health Organization World Mental Health (WMH) Survey Initiative.ResultsRespondents in both high-income and low- and middle-income countries attributed higher disability to mental disorders than to the commonly occurring physical disorders included in the surveys. This pattern held for all disorders and also for treated disorders. Disaggregation showed that the higher disability of mental than physical disorders was limited to disability in social and personal role functioning, whereas disability in productive role functioning was generally comparable for mental and physical disorders.ConclusionsDespite often higher disability, mental disorders are under-treated compared with physical disorders in both high-income and in low- and middle-income countries.

scholarly journals A Cambodian-Norwegian Competence Building Program in Child Mental Health: A Qualitative Focus-Group Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marit Hafting ◽  
Puthy Pat ◽  
Gunn Aadland ◽  
Krister Fjermestad ◽  
Bhoomikumar Jegannathan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
High Income ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Knowledge And Skills ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Building Program ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Abstract BackgroundThe prevalence of mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders in young people is high in low- and middle-income counties, such as Cambodia, as risk factors in the perinatal period, malnutrition, infections and adverse childhood experiences can be abundant due to poverty and/or conflict. Collaboration between institutions from high-income countries and institutions in resource-poor settings for professional development can improve service providers’ knowledge and skills, which is key to bridging the gap between service needs and the ability to meet those needs.MethodsA Norwegian team comprised of a pediatrician, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and a child psychologist implemented a participatory program for competence building at Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health in Cambodia (Caritas-CCAMH) two weeks per year over a 14-year period. Herein, we explore some aspects of this Cambodian-Norwegian collaboration from the perspective of the Caritas-CCAMH staff with a qualitative approach using thematic analysis of the transcripts from a focus-group interview with 11 staff members at the end of the 14-year period. Results The multidisciplinary team at Caritas-CCAMH described the learning process with the Norwegian team as a “meeting between experts” characterized by collaboration in planning and implementation, which enhanced the contextual relevance of the project. Mixing theory and practice in clinical case discussions with a bio-psycho-social perspective was perceived as the cornerstone of the pedagogical process. Learning by observation and supervision from the Norwegian team led to mastering skills and enhancing self-confidence and job satisfaction. A pedagogical strategy that involved constant reflection back and forth enabled the customization of the content and method of knowledge exchange despite the difference in socio-economic conditions and learning styles that were unfamiliar to the mental health professionals from high-income countries.ConclusionsBuilding knowledge and skills within a dialogic partnership over a significant period of time contributed to learning across cultures. This model of continuity, low-investment and low-intensity collaborative capacity building may enrich the child and adolescent mental health settings in high-, low- and middle-income countries. Furthermore, the model appears feasible for Western professionals who collaborate with institutions for child and adolescent mental health in low- and middle-income countries.

scholarly journals The 10/90 divide in mental health research: Trends over a 10-year period

2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shekhar Saxena ◽  
Guillermo Paraje ◽  
Pratap Sharan ◽  
Ghassan Karam ◽  
Ritu Sadana
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Mental Health Research ◽  
High Income ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Health Literature ◽  
Mental Health Literature ◽  
Search Precision ◽  
Low And Middle Income

SummaryA search (precision value 94%, recall value 93%) of the ISI Web of Science database (1992–2001) revealed that mental health publications accounted for 3–4% of the health literature. A 10/90 divide in internationally accessible mental health literature was evident and remained undiminished through 10 years as low- and middle-income countries (n= 152) contributed only 6%, high-income countries (n=54) 94%, and 14 leading high-income countries (with more than 1% contribution for majority of years under consideration) contributed 90% of internationally accessible mental health research. Steps should be taken to improve the research infrastructure and capacity to conduct and disseminate mental health research in general, and on a priority basis in low- and middle-income countries.

scholarly journals Cross-national prevalence and risk factors for suicidal ideation, plans and attempts

2008 ◽  
Vol 192 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew K. Nock ◽  
Guilherme Borges ◽  
Evelyn J. Bromet ◽  
Jordi Alonso ◽  
Matthias Angermeyer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Impulse Control ◽  
First Year ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Prediction And Prevention ◽  
National Prevalence ◽  
Cross National ◽  
Low And Middle Income

BackgroundSuicide is a leading cause of death worldwide; however, the prevalence and risk factors for the immediate precursors to suicide – suicidal ideation, plans and attempts – are not well-known, especially in low- and middle-income countries.AimsTo report on the prevalence and risk factors for suicidal behaviours across 17 countries.MethodA total of 84 850 adults were interviewed regarding suicidal behaviours and socio-demographic and psychiatric risk factors.ResultsThe cross-national lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts is 9.2% (s.e.=0.1), 3.1% (s.e.=0.1), and 2.7% (s.e.=0.1). Across all countries, 60% of transitions from ideation to plan and attempt occur within the first year after ideation onset. Consistent cross-national risk factors included being female, younger, less educated, unmarried and having a mental disorder. Interestingly, the strongest diagnostic risk factors were mood disorders in high-income countries but impulse control disorders in low- and middle-income countries.ConclusionThere is cross-national variability in the prevalence of suicidal behaviours, but strong consistency in the characteristics and risk factors for these behaviours. These findings have significant implications for the prediction and prevention of suicidal behaviours.

Systematic review of the evidence base for treatment of common mental disorders in South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debra Kaminer ◽  
Michael Owen ◽  
Byron Schwartz
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
South African ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Mental Health Interventions ◽  
Low And Middle Income

The scarcity of mental health resources in low- and middle-income countries requires the identification of effective interventions that can be taken to scale in a cost-efficient manner. Yet the evidence base for treatment of common mental disorders in low- and middle-income countries remains limited. As one of the better resourced countries on the African continent, South Africa could potentially play a leading role in developing an African evidence base for mental health care. This study sought to describe and evaluate the South African evidence base for treating common mental disorders. A systematic review of randomised controlled trials for depression, substance use, and anxiety in the adult South African population from 2000 to mid-2015 was conducted. Eligible studies were assessed for their consistency with recommendations for mental health interventions in low- and middle-income countries and for methodological and reporting rigour. A total of 16 RCTs satisfied the inclusion criteria, of which 8 targeted depression, 6 targeted substance use, and 2 targeted anxiety symptoms. There has been a strong trend towards alignment with prevailing recommendations for delivery of mental health interventions in resource-scarce regions. While there are some promising findings with regard to effectiveness of specific interventions, replication, costing, and dissemination studies are still required and there is still an urgent need for treatment studies for anxiety disorders, which are the most common class of common mental disorder in South Africa. The review also indicates that research design and reporting practices in South African mental health intervention research could be enhanced and recommendations towards this are suggested.

scholarly journals Adherence to Food-Based Dietary Guidelines: A Systemic Review of High-Income and Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1038
Author(s):  
Ana Carolina B. Leme ◽  
Sophia Hou ◽  
Regina Mara Fisberg ◽  
Mauro Fisberg ◽  
Jess Haines
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
High Income ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Systemic Review ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Research comparing the adherence to food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) across countries with different socio-economic status is lacking, which may be a concern for developing nutrition policies. The aim was to report on the adherence to FBDGs in high-income (HIC) and low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC). A systematic review with searches in six databases was performed up to June 2020. English language articles were included if they investigated a population of healthy children and adults (7–65 years), using an observational or experimental design evaluating adherence to national FBDGs. Findings indicate that almost 40% of populations in both HIC and LMIC do not adhere to their national FBDGs. Fruit and vegetables (FV) were most adhered to and the prevalence of adhering FV guidelines was between 7% to 67.3%. HIC have higher consumption of discretionary foods, while results were mixed for LMIC. Grains and dairy were consumed below recommendations in both HIC and LMIC. Consumption of animal proteins (>30%), particularly red meat, exceeded the recommendations. Individuals from HIC and LMIC may be falling short of at least one dietary recommendation from their country’s guidelines. Future health policies, behavioral-change strategies, and dietary guidelines may consider these results in their development.

scholarly journals Mental health of children with neurodevelopmental disorders during COVID-19: A brief report of family experiences from a low and middle income country

2021 ◽  
pp. 135910452110260
Author(s):  
Sowmyashree M Kaku
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Similar Report ◽  
Low And Middle Income

COVID-19 has grossly impacted lives of people across the globe. In particular, children have also been affected due to closure of schools, therapy, and day care centers. Families have been challenged with new circumstances, and mental health professionals are coming up with novel ways to help these families who have children with mental health issues. This article describes experiences of families who have children with a diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder with comorbid mental health difficulties and their ways of coping with the pandemic challenges. The series will throw light on ground level experiences of families during the pandemic, give insights into their ways of adapting, and brings out problem areas which healthcare professionals must work on, to design novel ways of care. The case series is novel and a similar report has probably not been presented from India or other low and middle income countries.

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