Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39402621›Full record

ArticleChild and adolescent psychiatry and mental health2024

Adolescent mental health services in West Africa: a comparative analysis of Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Niger.

Michel Adurayi Amenah, Nassirou Ibrahim, Ludovic Deo Gracias Tapsoba, Jacob Novignon, Ama Pokuaa Fenny, Irene A Agyepong, Roxane Borges da Silva, Tim Ensor

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Article in Child and adolescent psychiatry and mental health, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Michel Adurayi AmenahGhana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Accra, Ghana. michel.adurayi@gmail.com.
Nassirou IbrahimLaboratory for Studies and Research on Social Dynamics and Local Development, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Ludovic Deo Gracias TapsobaUniversity of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Jacob NovignonKwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Ama Pokuaa FennyInstitute of Statistical Social and Economic Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Irene A AgyepongGhana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Accra, Ghana.
Roxane Borges da SilvaUniversity of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Tim EnsorUniversity of Leeds, Leeds, UK.

Funding

UK Medical Research Council and the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office MR/T040203/
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAdolescent mental health (AMH) is a critical issue worldwide, particularly in West Africa, where it is intensified by socio-economic, cultural, and security challenges. Insecurity and the presence of mining sites expose adolescents to hazardous environments, substance abuse, and adulterated alcohol, further aggravating their mental health. Despite these severe issues, research on AMH in this region remains limited. This study aims to analyze the provision of AMH services in Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Niger, highlighting the unique challenges these countries face within the broader West African healthcare context.

methodsThe study adopted a multi-stage, stratified sampling design to collect data from primary healthcare centers (PHCs) in the three countries. Using STATA.17, Descriptive analysis was conducted on the data related to availability of AMH services, types of mental health disorders treated, resources available, and OPD attendance rates. The analysis also incorporated factors such as the rural-urban divide and the presence of national guidelines for AMH services.

resultsThe findings reveal a significant shortfall in the provision of AMH services across the region, with less than 30% of PHCs across all the countries offering these services. The study also highlights a pronounced rural-urban disparity in AMH service availability, a general absence of national guidelines for AMH care, and low OPD attendance rates.

conclusionThe study highlights the urgent need for comprehensive policy reform and targeted interventions to enhance AMH services in West Africa. Key policy reforms should include the development and implementation of national guidelines for AMH care and integration of AMH services into primary healthcare. Additionally, efforts should focus on capacity building through the training of mental health professionals, increasing public awareness to reduce stigma, and ensuring equitable resource allocation across rural and urban areas. Improving AMH care is essential not only for the well-being of adolescents but also for driving broader socio-economic development in the region.

Indexed as

AdolescentsMental healthWest Africa

Identifiers

PMID39402621
PMCPMC11479564

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.