Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40594691›Full record

ArticleScientific reports2025

Association between educational attainment and mental health conditions among Africans working and studying in selected African countries.

Tshubelela Sello Simon Magakwe, Eme Eseme John, Edith Daniel-Nwosu, Osamudiamen McHillary Ogiemudia, Oforbuike Onyebuchi Ike, Grace Obumneke Ogbonna, Isaura Ilorena d'Alva Brito Dos Santos, Nalova Westbrook, Okechi Ulumma Amaechi, Ugochukwu E Uzuegbu and 9 more

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Scientific reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

19 authors.

Tshubelela Sello Simon MagakweDiscipline of Optometry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
Eme Eseme JohnBathurst Rural Clinical School, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Bathurst, NSW, 2795, Australia.
Edith Daniel-NwosuFederal University of Technology Owerri, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Osamudiamen McHillary OgiemudiaUniversity of Benin, P.M.B 1154, Benin City, Nigeria.
Oforbuike Onyebuchi IkeBayero University Kano, Gwarzo Road, PMB, Kano, 3011, Nigeria.
Grace Obumneke OgbonnaMzuzu University, Mzuzu City, Malawi.
Isaura Ilorena d'Alva Brito Dos SantosEduardo Mondlane University, Salvador Allende Ave, #702, PO Box 257, Maputo, Mozambique.
Nalova WestbrookThe Pennsylvania State University, 201 Old Main, University Park, 16802, PA, USA.
Okechi Ulumma AmaechiAbia State University, Uturu, Okigwe, Imo State, Nigeria.
Ugochukwu E UzuegbuDelta State University Abraka, Abraka, Nigeria.
Michael Agyemang KwartengUniversity of the West Indies, St Augustine, Couva, Trinidad and Tobago.
Nnamdi John EsemeUniversity of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania TAS, 7000, Australia.
Mutshidzi MulondoUniversity of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa.
Khathutshelo Percy MashigeAfrican Vision Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, 3629, South Africa.
Bernadine Nsa EkpenyongUniversity of Calabar, Cross River State, Calabar, 540271, Nigeria.
Ngozika Esther EzinneUniversity of the West Indies, St Augustine, Couva, Trinidad and Tobago.
Nnaemeka MeribeLa Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Kingsley E AghoBathurst Rural Clinical School, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Bathurst, NSW, 2795, Australia.
Uchechukwu Levi OsuagwuAfrican Vision Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, 3629, South Africa. l.osuagwu@westernsydney.edu.au.

Funding

Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Health 4-DGEJZ1O/4-CW7UT14
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and stress, are a growing global public health concern, with their prevalence influenced by various sociodemographic and contextual factors. Among these, the role of educational attainment in shaping mental health outcomes has received limited attention, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Given the potential impact of education on psychological well-being, this study examines the prevalence of mental health conditions. It explores how different levels of education influence depression, anxiety, and stress among university students and staff across selected SSA countries. Data from 3,227 participants across four African countries were analysed using logistic regression models to explore the relationship between educational attainment and depression, anxiety, and stress. Models were categorized into univariate, adjusted, and interaction models, controlling for age, gender, and occupation. The study further examined interactions between these variables. Higher educational attainment was consistently associated with lower odds of depression and anxiety. Postgraduate qualifications showed significantly lower odds of depression (OR = 0.60, 95% CI [0.47, 0.76]) and anxiety (OR = 0.60, 95% CI [0.47, 0.77]) compared to those with a Bachelor's degree. Secondary school certification was linked to increased odds of depression (OR = 1.29, 95% CI [1.09, 1.54]) and anxiety (OR = 1.78, 95% CI [1.15, 2.76]). Gender differences were observed, with females exhibiting higher vulnerability to depression and stress than males. Occupation also influenced mental health outcomes, with non-academic staff showing lower odds of depression compared to students. This study highlights that higher educational attainment reduces the odds of depression and anxiety among African populations. Gender and occupation were also significant factors, emphasizing the need for targeted mental health interventions for individuals with lower educational attainment and those in vulnerable job roles. These findings suggest that increasing access to higher education may improve mental health outcomes in the region. Future research should explore causal mechanisms and consider cultural and socioeconomic factors to inform more effective mental health policies and interventions.

Indexed as

AnxietyDepressionEducational StatusMental HealthAdolescentAdultAfricaAfrican PeopleAfrica South of the SaharaFemaleHumansMalePrevalenceStress, PsychologicalStudentsUniversitiesAnxietyDepressionEducationGlobal healthHealth inequityHealth literacyMental healthStressSub-Saharan Africa

Identifiers

PMID40594691
PMCPMC12215367

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.