Depressive symptoms among adolescents in six sub-Saharan African countries: A pooled analysis of associated factors

Uttara Partap, Azan Nyundo, Adom Manu, Mathilda Regan, Abbas Ismail, Angela Chukwu, Yadeta Dessie, Tasiana Njau, Sylvia F. Kaaya, Wafaie W. Fawzi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

There is a need to identify risk factors, including nutrition-related factors, for depressive disorders among sub-Saharan African (SSA) adolescents. We examined the association of multiple measures with depressive symptoms among adolescents living across six SSA countries. Building on previous analyses, we used data from a cross-sectional study conducted from 2015 to 2017 among adolescents aged 10–19 years in six SSA countries (N = 7512). Depressive symptoms were defined as highest tertile of the 6-item Kutcher Adolescent Depression Scale score. Using mixed-effects Poisson regression models, we pooled data across sites and examined the association of sociodemographic, nutrition, and other indices with depressive symptoms. We additionally assessed effect modification by sex, age, and school-going status. We observed higher risk of depressive symptoms among girls (adjusted risk ratio [RR]: 1.29, 95 % confidence interval [95 % CI]: 1.05–1.58, P = 0.016), older adolescents (RR for 18–19 years: 1.59, 95 % CI: 1.44–1.76, P < 0.001), and adolescents experiencing bullying (RR: 1.43, 95 % CI: 1.26–1.62, P < 0.001) or violence (RR: 1.34, 95 % CI: 1.24–1.45, P < 0.001). Adolescents experiencing food insecurity also had a higher risk of depressive symptoms (RR: 1.90, 95 % CI: 1.64–2.19, P < 0.001) along with those consuming ≥ 5 servings of fruit and vegetables per day (RR: 1.18, 95 % CI: 1.03–1.34, P = 0.015); conversely, those who consumed grains, roots and tubers in the past day were at decreased risk (RR: 0.73, 95 % CI: 0.69–0.77, P < 0.001). There was no strong evidence of effect modification of associations. This study reinforces the potential role of multiple sociodemographic and nutrition-related measures on risk of depressive symptoms in these populations.

Original languageEnglish
Article number102499
JournalPreventive Medicine Reports
Volume36
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2023

Keywords

  • Depressive disorders
  • Effect modification
  • Nutrition
  • Physical activity
  • Risk factors
  • Sociodemographic
  • Sub-Saharan Africa

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Depressive symptoms among adolescents in six sub-Saharan African countries: A pooled analysis of associated factors'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this