Mental health and help-seeking behaviors among Mozambican youth: insights from a post-pandemic National Survey Amidst Internal Conflict

作     者：Dadras, Omid 

作者机构：Univ Turku Res Ctr Child Psychiat Turku Finland 

出 版 物：《SOCIAL PSYCHIATRY AND PSYCHIATRIC EPIDEMIOLOGY》 (Soc. Psychiatry Psychiatr. Epidemiol.)

年 卷 期：2025年

页      面：1-13页

核心收录：

学科分类：1002[医学-临床医学] 10[医学] 

基　　金：University of Turku (including Turku University Central Hospital) [2022-23] 

主　　题：Mental health Mozambican youth Depression Anxiety Help-seeking behavior 

摘      要：PurposeThis study aimed to investigate the prevalence and sociodemographic determinants of major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) among Mozambican youth aged 15-24 years, as well as their help-seeking *** from 8,154 youth participants in the 2022-23 Mozambique Demographic Health Survey were analyzed. MDD and GAD were assessed using the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scales, respectively. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between sociodemographic factors and mental health outcomes and health-seeking *** prevalence of MDD and GAD among Mozambican youth was 7.5% for each condition. However, only 9.3% of those with either MDD or GAD sought help for their symptoms, primarily from family and friends. Females had significantly higher odds of experiencing both MDD and GAD but lower help-seeking behavior as compared to males. Unemployment, lower household wealth, and being single were associated with higher odds of both disorders and lower odds of help-seeking behaviors. Higher education increased the odds of GAD and help-seeking behaviors. Significant regional variations were observed, with conflict-affected regions including Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Zambezia showing the highest prevalence of MDD and *** study reveals substantial mental health challenges among Mozambican youth, with notable disparities across sociodemographic groups and regions. The low rates of help-seeking behavior underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve mental health awareness and access to services for socio-demographically vulnerable youth.