Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression Among the General Population in Africa During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Frontiers in Public Health

article

Umar Muhammad Bello¹  Priya Kannan³  Muhammad Chutiyami⁴  Dauda Salihu⁵  Allen M. Y. Cheong¹  Tiev Miller³  Joe Wing Pun³  Abdullahi Salisu Muhammad²  Fatima Ado Mahmud⁷  Hussaina Abubakar Jalo⁸  Mohammed Usman Ali³  Mustapha Adam Kolo^1,10  Surajo Kamilu Sulaiman^1,11  Aliyu Lawan⁹  Isma'il Muhammad Bello^1,13  Amina Abdullahi Gambo^1,14  Stanley John Winser³ 

[1] Centre for Eye and Vision Research Limited;Department of Physiotherapy, Yobe State University Teaching Hospital;Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University;School of Nursing, Institute of Health and Management;School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University;School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University;Physiotherapy Department, Yobe State Specialist Hospital;Department of Paediatrics, Yobe State Specialist Hospital;Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Maiduguri;Department of Geography, University of Maiduguri;Department of Physiotherapy, Bayero University Kano;Department of Rehabilitation Science, Western University;Department of Medicine and Surgery, Ahmadu Bello University;Department of Paediatrics, Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital

关键词: Africa;    COVID-19;    pandemics;    anxiety;    depression;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpubh.2022.814981

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Background Medical and socio-economic uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic have had a substantial impact on mental health. This study aimed to systematically review the existing literature reporting the prevalence of anxiety and depression among the general populace in Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic and examine associated risk factors. Methods A systematic search of the following databases African Journal Online, CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted from database inception until 30th September 2021. Studies reporting the prevalence of anxiety and/or depression among the general populace in African settings were considered for inclusion. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Meta-analyses on prevalence rates were conducted using Comprehensive Meta-analysis software. Results Seventy-eight primary studies (62,380 participants) were identified from 2,325 studies via electronic and manual searches. Pooled prevalence rates for anxiety (47%, 95% CI: 40–54%, I 2 = 99.19%) and depression (48%, 95% CI: 39–57%, I 2 = 99.45%) were reported across Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sex (female) and history of existing medical/chronic conditions were identified as major risk factors for anxiety and depression. Conclusions The evidence put forth in this synthesis demonstrates the substantial impact of the pandemic on the pervasiveness of these psychological symptoms among the general population. Governments and stakeholders across continental Africa should therefore prioritize the allocation of available resources to institute educational programs and other intervention strategies for preventing and ameliorating universal distress and promoting psychological wellbeing.

【 授权许可】

CC BY