Mental Disorders Among Detained Youth: The Hidden Nature and Peculiarities of African Literature

Abstract

Beaudry et al.¹ published the results of a global systematic review of studies that have assessed prevalence rates of common mental disorders (CMD) among detained adolescents. The eligibility criteria were as follows: studies conducted in a general population of detained adolescents (10-19 years of age); studies that assessed prevalence rates of any of current depression, psychotic disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or lifetime conduct disorder; studies with diagnoses made using clinical examination or semi-structured diagnostic instruments; and studies with results disaggregated by sex, unless >90% of respondents were of same sex. A total of 45 studies from 19 countries across continental America, Europe, Asia, and Australia met eligibility criteria. However, no study from Africa was adjudged to be eligible. Careful re-review of the literature, using Africa-specific research databases and contextualizing the search terms for Africa, revealed that few eligible studies from the region were omitted, and that the age cut-off point used in defining youth correctional populations was biased against the reality in Africa.