Psychiatric and Mental Health Commons^™

Neurocognitive And Mental Health Outcomes In Children With Tungiasis: A Cross-Sectional Study In Rural Kenya And Uganda, Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri)-Wellcome Trust Programme, Kenya, Lynne Elson, Abneel K. Matharu, Naomi Riithi, Esther Chongwo, Khamis Katana, Carophine Nasambu, Francis Mutebi, Herman Feldmeier, Amina Abubakar

Institute for Human Development

Background: Tungiasis, a neglected tropical parasitosis, disproportionately affects children. Few empirical studies have reported neurocognitive and mental health outcomes of children with ectoparasitic skin diseases like tungiasis. Pathophysiology of tungiasis suggests it could detrimentally affect cognition and behaviour. This study pioneered the investigation of neurocognitive and mental health outcomes in children with tungiasis.

Methods: This was a multi-site cross-sectional study including 454 quasi-randomly sampled school-children aged 8–14 from 48 randomly selected schools in two counties in Kenya and a district in Uganda. The participants were stratified into infected and uninfected based on the presence of tungiasis. The infected were further …

Strategies For Improving Mental Health And Wellbeing Used By Adults Ageing With Hiv From The Kenyan Coast: A Qualitative Exploration, Peter Mwangala, Ryan G. Wagner, Charles R. Newton, Amina Abubakar

Institute for Human Development

Background: Physical and mental health problems are common among older adults living with HIV (OALWH). Adaptive coping strategies play a vital role in improving these adults' mental health and well-being despite the deleterious effects of HIV and ageing. However, in sub-Saharan Africa, limited evidence exists on the commonly utilized coping strategies in this population. We explore the coping strategies used by Kenyan OALWH to improve their mental health and wellbeing.

Methods: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted between October and December 2019 with 56 participants: 34 OALWH (53% female), 11 healthcare providers (63% female) and 11 primary caregivers (73% female) in …

Mental Health And Psychological Well-Being Of Kenyan Adolescents From Nairobi And The Coast Regions In The Context Of Covid-19, Gideon Mbithi, Adam Mabrouk, Ahmed Sarki, Rachel Odhiambo, Mary Namuguzi, Judith Dzombo, Joseph Atukwatse, Margaret Kabue, Paul Mwangi, Amina Abubakar

Institute for Human Development

Background Despite the high burden of mental health problems during adolescence and its associated nega- tive consequences, it has remained neglected especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The 2019 novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has placed additional stress on adolescent mental health. However, there are few studies docu- menting the burden of mental health problems and even fewer mental health services in the region. In relation to the limited body of knowledge, the present study aims to determine the psychological well-being of adolescents and to assess the risks and associated factors of mental health problems among adolescents in the context of COVID-19 …

Early Intervention In Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Need For An International Approach, Amina Abubakar, Patricia Kipkemoi

Institute for Human Development

Globally, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects approximately 1 in 100 children. Ideally, a diagnosis is made with the onset of symptoms before 3 years of age; however, a diagnosis may sometimes be delayed until 6 years or later. There has been an increase in ASD research over the last few decades, with many systematic reviews and meta-analyses synthesizing research evidence for ASD interventions in children. Evidence tends to support the notion that intervention for ASD must occur as early as possible, close to the critical periods when early social and communication skills are developing. Therefore, early screening and intervention could …

Mental Health During Covid-19 Pandemic Among Caregivers Of Young Children In Kenya’S Urban Informal Settlements. A Cross-Sectional Telephone Survey, Vibian Angweny, Margaret Kabue, Esther Chongwo, Adam Mabrouk, Ezra Too, Rachel Odhiambo, Carophine Nasambu, Joyce Marangu, Derrick Ssewanyana, Eunice Njoroge, Eunice Ombech, Mercy Mokaya, Emmanuel Obulemire, Anil Khamis, Amina Abubakar

Institute for Human Development

The emergence of COVID-19 has profoundly affected mental health, especially among highly vulnerable populations. This study describes mental health issues among caregivers of young children and pregnant women in three urban informal settlements in Kenya during the first pandemic year, and factors associated with poor mental health. A cross-sectional telephone survey was administered to 845 participants. Survey instruments included the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, General Anxiety Disorder-7 scale, COVID-19 Anxiety Scale, and questions on the perceived COVID-19 effects on caregiver wellbeing and livelihood. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and univariate and multivariate analysis. Caregivers perceived COVID-19 as a threatening condition …

Mental Health And Well-Being Of Older Adults Living With Hiv In Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review, Patrick Nzivo Mwangala, Adam Mabrouk, Ryan Wagner, Charles R J C Newton, Amina Abubakar

Institute for Human Development

Objective: In this systematic review, we aimed to summarise the empirical evidence on common mental disorders (CMDs), cognitive impairment, frailty and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among people living with HIV aged ≥50 years (PLWH50 +) residing in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Specifically, we document the prevalence and correlates of these outcomes.

Design, data sources and eligibility criteria: The following online databases were systematically searched: PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase and Scopus up to January 2021. English-language publications on depression, anxiety, cognitive function, frailty and quality of life among PLWH50+ residing in SSA were included.

Data extraction and synthesis: We extracted …

Prevalence, Risk And Protective Indicators Of Common Mental Disorders Among Young People Living With Hiv Compared To Their Uninfected Peers From The Kenyan Coast: A Cross-Sectional Study, Moses K. Nyongesa, Paul Mwangi, Michael Kinuthia, Amin S. Hassan, Hans M. Koot, Pim Cuijpers, Charles R. J. C. Newton, Amina Abubakar

Institute for Human Development

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, common mental disorders (CMDs) like depression and anxiety are under investigated amongst young people living with HIV (YLWH). To address the gap, in Kenya we: a) determined the prevalence of CMDs among YLWH compared to their uninfected peers; b) investigated HIV status as an independent predictor of CMDs in young people; c) investigated CMDs risk and protective indicators with more focus on YLWH.

Methods: Between November 2018 and September 2019, 819 young people aged 18–24 years (407 HIV-infected) were recruited from two Counties on the Kenyan coast. Locally adapted pre-existing mental health measures, Patient Health Questionnaire …

Long-Term Mental Health And Quality Of Life Outcomes Of Neonatal Insults In Kilifi, Kenya, Dorcas N. Magai, Hans M. Koot, Charles R. Newton, Amina Abubakar

Institute for Human Development

We examined the mental health and quality of life (QoL) outcomes and their correlates of school-aged survivors of neonatal jaundice (NNJ), hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), and a comparison group. The Child Behavior Checklist and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory were administered to assess the mental health and QoL of 375 children (134 with NNJ, 107 with HIE, and 134 comparison group) aged 6 to 12 years [Median age 9 (interquartile range 7 to 11)]. The results showed that survivors of NNJ and HIE have mental health problems and QoL similar to the comparison group. Maternal mental health was the predominant …

Economic Burden And Mental Health Of Primary Caregivers Of Perinatally Hiv Infected Adolescents From Kilifi, Kenya, Patrick V. Katana, Amina Abubakar, Moses K. Nyongesa, Derrick Ssewanyana, Paul Mwangi, Charles R. Newton, Julie Jemutai

Institute for Human Development

Background: Eighty per cent of perinatally HIV infected (PHI) adolescents live in sub-Saharan Africa (sSA), a setting also characterized by huge economic disparities. Caregiving is crucial to the management of chronic illness such as HIV/AIDS, but the economic costs and mental disorders borne by caregivers of PHI adolescents often go unnoticed. In this study, we evaluated economic costs, coping strategies and association between economic cost and mental health functioning of caregivers of perinatally HIV infected adolescents in Kilifi, Kenya.

Methods: We used a cost of illness descriptive analysis approach to determine the economic burden and Patient Health Questionnaire …