Poor mental health in Ghana: who is at risk?

Journal: BMC public health

Volume: 13

Issue: 

Year of Publication: 2013

Affiliated Institutions:  Department of Health Policy and Administration, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA. Heather.sipsma@yale.edu

Abstract summary 

Poor mental health is a leading cause of disability worldwide with considerable negative impacts, particularly in low-income countries. Nevertheless, empirical evidence on its national prevalence in low-income countries, particularly in Africa, is limited. Additionally, researchers and policy makers are now calling for empirical investigations of the association between empowerment and poor mental health among women. We therefore sought to estimate the national prevalence of poor mental health in Ghana, explore its correlates on a national level, and examine associations between empowerment and poor mental health among women.We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from a nationally representative survey conducted in Ghana in 2009-2010. Interviews were conducted face-to-face with participants (N = 9,524 for overall sample; n = 3,007 for women in relationships). We used the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) to measure psychological distress and assessed women's attitudes about their roles in decision-making, attitudes towards intimate partner violence, partner control, and partner abuse. We used weighted multivariable multinomial regression models to determine the factors independently associated with experiencing psychological distress for our overall sample and for women in relationships.Overall, 18.7% of the sample reported either moderate (11.7%) or severe (7.0%) psychological distress. The prevalence of psychological distress was higher among women than men. Overall, the prevalence of psychological distress differed by gender, marital status, education, wealth, region, health and religion, but not by age or urban/rural location. Women who reported having experienced physical abuse, increased partner control, and who were more accepting of women's disempowerment had greater likelihoods of psychological distress (P-values < 0.05).Psychological distress is substantial among both men and women in Ghana, with nearly 20% having moderate or severe psychological distress, an estimate higher than those found among South African (16%) or Australian (11%) adults. Women who are disempowered in the context of intimate relationships may be particularly vulnerable to psychological distress. Results identify populations to be targeted by interventions aiming to improve mental health.

Authors & Co-authors:  Sipsma Heather H Ofori-Atta Angela A Canavan Maureen M Osei-Akoto Isaac I Udry Christopher C Bradley Elizabeth H EH

Study Outcome 

Source Link: Visit source

Statistics
Citations :  World Health Organization. Mental Health: New Understanding, New Hope. In: World Health Organization, editor. World Health Report. 2001. [ http://www.who.int/whr/2001/en/whr01_en.pdf]
Authors :  6
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1186/1471-2458-13-288
SSN : 1471-2458
Study Population
Men,Women
Mesh Terms
Adult
Other Terms
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Country of Study
Ghana
Publication Country
England