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Meta-Analysis
. 2022 May 17:10:814981.
doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.814981. eCollection 2022.

Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression Among the General Population in Africa During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Umar Muhammad Bello  1   2 , Priya Kannan  3 , Muhammad Chutiyami  4 , Dauda Salihu  5 , Allen M Y Cheong  1   6 , Tiev Miller  3 , Joe Wing Pun  3 , Abdullahi Salisu Muhammad  2 , Fatima Ado Mahmud  7 , Hussaina Abubakar Jalo  8 , Mohammed Usman Ali  3   9 , Mustapha Adam Kolo  10 , Surajo Kamilu Sulaiman  11 , Aliyu Lawan  9   12 , Isma'il Muhammad Bello  13 , Amina Abdullahi Gambo  14 , Stanley John Winser  3
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression Among the General Population in Africa During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Umar Muhammad Bello et al. Front Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Medical and socio-economic uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic have had a substantial impact on mental health. This study aimed to systematically review the existing literature reporting the prevalence of anxiety and depression among the general populace in Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic and examine associated risk factors.

Methods: A systematic search of the following databases African Journal Online, CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted from database inception until 30th September 2021. Studies reporting the prevalence of anxiety and/or depression among the general populace in African settings were considered for inclusion. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Meta-analyses on prevalence rates were conducted using Comprehensive Meta-analysis software.

Results: Seventy-eight primary studies (62,380 participants) were identified from 2,325 studies via electronic and manual searches. Pooled prevalence rates for anxiety (47%, 95% CI: 40-54%, I2 = 99.19%) and depression (48%, 95% CI: 39-57%, I2 = 99.45%) were reported across Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sex (female) and history of existing medical/chronic conditions were identified as major risk factors for anxiety and depression.

Conclusions: The evidence put forth in this synthesis demonstrates the substantial impact of the pandemic on the pervasiveness of these psychological symptoms among the general population. Governments and stakeholders across continental Africa should therefore prioritize the allocation of available resources to institute educational programs and other intervention strategies for preventing and ameliorating universal distress and promoting psychological wellbeing.

Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021228023, PROSPERO CRD42021228023.

Keywords: Africa; COVID-19; anxiety; depression; pandemics.

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Conflict of interest statement

UB and AC were employed by the Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR) Limited. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Study flowchart.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Overall prevalence of anxiety in Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Prevalence of anxiety and depression in Africa by regions during the COVID-19 pandemic (source of image: File:Africa map regions 2.png-Wikipedia).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Prevalence of anxiety in Africa by countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Overall prevalence of depression in Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Prevalence of depression in Africa by countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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