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BMC Health Services Research
Published in: BMC Health Services Research 1/2023

Open Access 01-12-2023 | Research

What barriers could impede access to mental health services for children and adolescents in Africa? A scoping review

Authors: Sabine Saade, Annick Parent-Lamarche, Tatiana Khalaf, Sara Makke, Alexander Legg

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2023

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Abstract

Background

Few studies have examined the mental health needs of African children and teenagers. Based on this gap, this scoping review aims to identify barriers to mental health services, treatments and services sought, and where mental health services are received.

Methods

To pursue the stated objectives, we searched the following databases a) PsycINFO, b) CINAHL, c) Medline, and d) Web of Science. The search yielded 15,956 records in total.

Results

Studies included in this review were conducted in six African countries: Ethiopia, Mali, Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria, and Tunisia. The majority of the studies were conducted in South Africa (33.32%), followed by Ethiopia (25%), and Egypt (16.67%). In terms of treatments and services sought, both professional and traditional/alternative treatments were reported. The most frequently noted services were psychiatric treatments (25%), screening and diagnostic assessment (16.67%), as well as psychiatric and psychological consultations (16.67%). The most frequently reported treatment centers were psychiatric hospitals. As for treatment barriers, the three most frequently encountered barriers were: a preference for traditional/alternative and complementary treatments (33.33%), followed by stigma (25%), and a lack of knowledge/unfamiliarity with the mental health condition (25%).

Conclusion

The results of this study are alarming due to the significant barriers to accessing mental health services coupled with the use of potentially harmful interventions to treat those mental health conditions. We hope this scoping review will help shed light on this important issue and help tomorrow’s generation reach its full potential.
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Metadata
Title
What barriers could impede access to mental health services for children and adolescents in Africa? A scoping review
Authors
Sabine Saade
Annick Parent-Lamarche
Tatiana Khalaf
Sara Makke
Alexander Legg
Publication date
01-12-2023
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Health Services Research / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09294-x

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