Child and adolescent mental health services in Uganda

International Journal of Mental Health Systems

Ingunn Marie Stadskleiv Engebretsen¹  Joyce Nalugya²  Silje Akselberg Iversen³  Juliet N. Babirye⁴  Norbert Skokauskas⁵ 

[1] Center for International Health, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen;Department of Psychiatry, Makerere University College of Health Sciences;Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, NTNU;Makerere University School of Public Health;Regional Knowledge Center for Children and Adolescents – Mental Health and Child Welfare, IPH;

关键词: Uganda;    Mental health;    Mental disorders;    Child and adolescent;    Child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS);   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13033-021-00491-x

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Introduction Worldwide, one in five children and adolescents suffer from mental health disorders, while facing limited opportunities for treatment and recovery. Growing up, they face multiple challenges that might contribute to the development of mental disorders. Uganda is a developing country with a history of prolonged civil and regional wars associated with child soldiers, large numbers of refugees and internally displaced people due to natural disasters and unrests, and a large infectious disease burden mainly due to acute respiratory tract infections, malaria and HIV/AIDS. Objective This paper aims to examine the current status of child and adolescent mental health services in Uganda. Methodology A scoping review approach was used to select studies on child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in Uganda. A search of MEDLINE, Wiley and PubMed databases was conducted using eligibility criteria. The papers were summarized in tables and then synthesized using the Frameworks for monitoring health systems performance designed by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This was done according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and M-Analyses Extension for Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. Results Twelve studies were identified; five of them used qualitative methods and focused mostly on the current limitations and strengths of CAMHS in Uganda, while six quantitative studies investigated the effects of new interventions. One study used a mixed-methods approach. In summary, the papers outlined a need for collaboration with the primary health sector and traditional healers to ensure additional human resources, as well as the need to focus on groups such as orphans, HIV/AIDS-affected youth, former child soldiers and refugees. Conclusion Relatively few studies have been conducted on CAMHS in Uganda, and most of those that exist are part of larger studies involving multiple countries. CAMHS in Uganda require improvement and needs to focus especially on vulnerable groups such as orphans, HIV/AIDS-affected youth and former child soldiers.

【 授权许可】

Unknown