Abstract summary 

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate associations between physical activity levels and emotional and behavioural problems in school-going adolescents aged 14 to 17 years in Uganda. Two-hundred and five adolescents [median (interquartile range) age = 16.0 (1.0) years; female = 61.9%] completed the interviewer-administered Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaire (GAD-7), and the Physical Activity Vital Sign (PAVS) measure. Spearman's rho correlations and Mann-Whitney -tests were applied. Among 205 adolescents, 97.1% were physically inactive (PAVS < 420min/week), while 64.4% reported either mild depressive (PHQ-9 ≥ 5) or anxiety (GAD-7 ≥ 5) symptoms. Higher PAVS scores correlated significantly with lower SDQ emotional problems ( = -0.23, < 0.001), lower PHQ-9 (ρ = -0.26, < 0.001), and lower GAD-7 (ρ = -0.22, < 0.001) scores. Those with emotional problems (SDQ ≥ 5) ( = 86) were significantly less physically active than those without ( = 119) [30.0 (62.5) versus 60.0 (105.0) min/week, < 0.001]. Those with depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 ≥ 5) were significantly less physically active than those without [35.0 (70.0) versus 60.0 (120.0) min/week, < 0.001]. Physical inactivity and mental health problems are related important public health concerns in school-going adolescents in low-income countries such as Uganda. The efficacy and effectiveness of school-based mental health literacy programs, including physical activity promotion, should be explored in these low-resource settings.

Authors & Co-authors:  Mugisha James J Van Damme Tine T Vancampfort Davy D

Study Outcome 

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