Psychosis in adolescents in Africa: A scoping review for current understanding and future directions

Abstract

Research into psychosis in adolescents is important in Africa in view of the high burden of mental disorders and prevalence of risk factors such as child maltreatment implicated in the etiology of mental health problems. In this paper, we synthesized the existing literature on psychosis in adolescents in Africa to understand current developments and chart a pathway for robust research agenda on psychosis. A search was conducted on electronic databases, including Africa Index Medicus and Scopus and selected journals for papers. Google, Google Scholar, reference list of papers selected for inclusion in the review and study authors were contacted for additional papers and grey literature. A total of 11 articles were included in this review and discussed under the following thematic areas:(1) assessment of psychosis; (2) prevalence of psychosis; (3) demographic/psychosocial correlates of psychosis; (4) clinical correlates of psychosis; (5) substance misuse and psychosis; and (6) psychosis literacy and help-seeking behavior. A pathway for research into psychosis centering on the representation of psychosis, risk and protective factors, management/treatment of psychosis and aforementioned thematic areas was proffered.

Systematic mapping on availability, extent and distribution of mental health research in Malawi

“… 11 Nevertheless, some mental disorders such as psychosis have been significantly researched worldwide because of their devastating nature, poor prognosis and reduced remission. 12 In addition, literature also indicated that depression is one of the most intensely researched mental disorders 13 globally.…”

Mental health burden among females living with HIV and AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review

“…These articles were not included in the review. Data from studies that met the inclusion criteria were extracted using an extraction format adapted from a recent systematic review [ 21 ]. Data extraction was carried out by the first and second authors (DSB & MS) and, scrutinized by the fourth author (S.A).…”

Psychotic‐like experiences and adverse life events in young people. Does gender matter?

“…Altogether, evidence suggest a high prevalence rate of PLEs (i.e. as high as 45%) among adolescents and young adults in SSA (Adjorlolo & Setordzi, 2021). Cross‐country studies have found evidence that further suggests that PLEs are highly prevalent in SSA, relative to western countries, with exceptions (see McGrath et al., 2015).…”

“…However, it is not clear whether the differences and similarities in the experience of life adversities across gender have any influence on the expression of subthreshold psychotic symptoms. Besides, previous studies have focused overwhelmingly on positive PLEs with little attention to negative PLEs (Adjorlolo et al., 2021; Adjorlolo & Anum, 2021; Adjorlolo & Setordzi, 2021). Meanwhile, negative symptoms constitute essential features of psychosis, accounting for a significant percentage of the long‐term disability and poor functional outcomes reported among persons with psychotic disorders (Correll & Schooler, 2020).…”