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Mental Health during the COVID-19 Crisis in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Jiyao Chen

    (College of Business, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA)

  • Nusrat Farah

    (College of Business and Analytics, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA)

  • Rebecca Kechen Dong

    (Business School, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia)

  • Richard Z. Chen

    (Crescent Valley High School, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA)

  • Wen Xu

    (International Business and Management Department, Nottingham University Business School China, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo 315100, China)

  • Jin Yin

    (School of Humanities, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China)

  • Bryan Z. Chen

    (Crescent Valley High School, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA)

  • Andrew Yilong Delios

    (Department of Psychology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia)

  • Saylor Miller

    (College of Business, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA)

  • Xue Wan

    (School of Economics and Management, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China)

  • Wenping Ye

    (Department of Business Administration, School of Management, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China)

  • Stephen X. Zhang

    (Department of Psychology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
    Faculty of Professions, Entrepreneurship, Commercialization and Innovation Center, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia)

Abstract

We aim to provide a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence rates of mental health symptoms among major African populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. We include articles from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and medRxiv between 1 February 2020 and 6 February 2021, and pooled data using random-effects meta-analyses. We identify 28 studies and 32 independent samples from 12 African countries with a total of 15,071 participants. The pooled prevalence of anxiety was 37% in 27 studies, of depression was 45% in 24 studies, and of insomnia was 28% in 9 studies. The pooled prevalence rates of anxiety, depression, and insomnia in North Africa (44%, 55%, and 31%, respectively) are higher than those in Sub-Saharan Africa (31%, 30%, and 24%, respectively). We find (a) a scarcity of studies in several African countries with a high number of COVID-19 cases; (b) high heterogeneity among the studies; (c) the extent and pattern of prevalence of mental health symptoms in Africa is high and differs from elsewhere—more African adults suffer from depression rather than anxiety and insomnia during COVID 19 compared to adult populations in other countries/regions. Hence, our findings carry crucial implications and impact future research to enable evidence-based medicine in Africa.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiyao Chen & Nusrat Farah & Rebecca Kechen Dong & Richard Z. Chen & Wen Xu & Jin Yin & Bryan Z. Chen & Andrew Yilong Delios & Saylor Miller & Xue Wan & Wenping Ye & Stephen X. Zhang, 2021. "Mental Health during the COVID-19 Crisis in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-19, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:20:p:10604-:d:653117
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Simegnew Kibret & Diriba Teshome & Efrem Fenta & Metages Hunie & Tadese Tamire, 2020. "Prevalence of anxiety towards COVID-19 and its associated factors among healthcare workers in a Hospital of Ethiopia," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(12), pages 1-10, December.
    2. A. T. Chinawa & J. M. Chinawa & E. Aniwada & Oge Amadi & A. C. Ndukuba & S. N. Uwaezuoke, 2018. "Spectrum of Anxiety Disorders Among Medical Students in a Nigerian Medical School: A Cross-Sectional Study With Standardized Screening Tools," Journal of Educational and Developmental Psychology, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 8(2), pages 132-132, November.
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