Cross-National variations in mental health: A cross-sectional study on depression, anxiety, and stress among university staff and students in Sub-Saharan African
This study found significant differences in mental health outcomes between participants from Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, and Nigeria. Malawi had the greatest risk for depression, anxiety, stress, and combinations of those conditions while Ghana reported the lowest risks. The findings emphasize the importance of considering contextual factors, such as education levels, gender, and country of origin, in understanding mental health risks. Overall, these findings underscore the critical mental health burden in sub-Saharan Africa and the need for increased access to mental health resources and targeted interventions.
Authors
- Kingsley Agho (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4111-3207)
- Isaura Ilorena d’Alva Brito dos Santos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8723-7606)
- Tshubelela Sello Simon Magakwe (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8724-9911)
- Michael Agyemang Kwarteng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1072-315X)
- Bernadine N. Ekpenyong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3531-5577)
- Kelechi C. Ogbuehi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8046-251X)
- Oforbuike Onyebuchi Ike
- Khathutshelo Percy Mashige (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8199-0891)
- Ellen Konadu Antwi-Adjei (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3291-8492)
- E. Ebele
- Anayochukwu Edward Anyasodor (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1928-7657)
- Ngozika Esther Ezinne (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3138-0213)
- Uchechukwu Levi Osuagwu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1727-6914)
- Antor O. Ndep (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3273-8195)
- Edith Daniel-Nwosu
- Grace Ogbonna (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1728-0067)
- Oyelola A. Adegboye (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9793-8024)
- Osamudiamen McHillary Ogiemudia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1182-3822)
- Ayomikun Nifemi Dahunsi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9608-9864)
- Okechi Ulumma Amaechi
Institutions
- Abia State University (NG)
- Camden and Campbelltown Hospitals (AU)
- Charles Sturt University (AU)
- Federal University of Technology Owerri (NG)
- Eduardo Mondlane University (MZ)
- Mzuzu University (MW)
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (GH)
- Charles Darwin University (AU)
- University of Calabar (NG)
- Menzies School of Health Research (AU)
- University of the West Indies (TT)
- Madonna University (NG)
- Africa Health Research Institute (ZA)
- Arts OutWest (AU)
- University of Benin (NG)
- University of Otago (NZ)
- Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (NG)
- Bayero University Kano (NG)
- University of KwaZulu-Natal (ZA)
Publication Details
- Journal
- PLoS ONE
- Published
- 2025-06-03
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0322163
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Migration, Health and Trauma
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.31