Psychiatric Disorders among the Military in West Africa: A Systematic Narrative Review.

Journal: Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland)

Volume: 11

Issue: 10

Year of Publication: 

Affiliated Institutions:  National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW , Australia. School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW , Australia. African Health and Ageing Research Centre (AHARC), Winneba, Ghana. Positive Wellness Recovery Centre, Melbourne, VIC , Australia.

Abstract summary 

(1) Background: Military combat impacts the mental health of veterans and active military personnel. Although various studies, the majority of which are from Westernized countries, have provided insight into how combat causes psychiatric disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety among veterans, there appears to be scant published literature on psychiatric disorders among military personnel in the West African region. It is important to contextually understand the psychiatric disorders among military personnel in this region who may be faced with similar vulnerabilities to their counterparts from Western cultures. (2) Methods: This study follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies were included if they were published in English between January 2010 and January 2021 and assessed mental health problems or psychiatric disorders among soldiers in West Africa. (3) Results: All three included studies were from Nigeria. High prevalence rates of substance and alcohol use were reported. (4) Conclusions: This review highlights the need for more research in this population as well as identifying the intervention needs of the soldiers and their implications.

Authors & Co-authors:  Asare-Doku Winifred W Donnir Gordon Maanianu GM Ayuurebobi Ae-Ngibise Kenneth K Peprah Jennifer J Awuviry-Newton Kofi K Acquah Francis F

Study Outcome 

Source Link: Visit source

Statistics
Citations :  McNally R.J. Psychiatric disorder and suicide in the military, then and now: Commentary on Frueh and Smith. J. Anxiety Disord. 2012;26:776–778. doi: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2012.06.008.
Authors :  6
Identifiers
Doi : 138
SSN : 2076-328X
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Other Terms
Africa;conflict;deployment;mental health;military;psychiatric disorders
Study Design
Narrative Study,Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Systemic Review
Country of Study
Niger
Publication Country
Switzerland