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Background: One of the most compelling areas of schizophrenia research involves the investigation of its longitudinal course and clinical outcomes. Longitudinal studies have provided profound insights into the trajectory of schizophrenia, elucidating its progression, clinical phenotype, functional impairments, treatment responsiveness, and key prognostic determinants. While contemporary therapeutic interventions have demonstrated promise in altering disease trajectory and enhancing recovery, schizophrenia remains characterized by heterogeneous outcomes, distinguishing it from other psychotic disorders. This review aims to assess the pooled prevalence of positive outcomes and identify key predictors on individuals with schizophrenia disorder across Africa. Methods: A comprehensive systematic search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, African Journal Online, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Psychiatry Online, CINAHL, Science Direct, and the Cochrane Library. This review includes observational studies, comprising both cross-sectional and cohort designs, published between 1993 and 2024, that evaluate the prognosis and favorable clinical outcomes of schizophrenia in Africa. The literature search was performed between November 2, 2024, and December 20, 2024. A total of sixteen original research articles assessing the prevalence of favorable outcomes in individuals with schizophrenia met the inclusion criteria. Data extraction was conducted independently by two reviewers to ensure methodological rigor, and the review is registered with PROSPERO (ID: CRD42024613692). Results: The pooled prevalence of positive outcomes among individuals with schizophrenia disorder in Africa was estimated at 44.17% (95% CI: 32.27–56.08). Among a total of 2,263 individuals, the aggregated remission rate across 13 studies was 48.14%, while the pooled recovery rate was 42% among 474 individuals across 4 studies. Furthermore, significant predictors of positive outcomes included the presence of prominent positive symptoms (OR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.24–2.89), prolonged antipsychotic use (OR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.69–2.74), and good medication adherence (OR = 4.31, 95% CI: 2.17–8.56). Conclusion: This review reveals that nearly half of individuals with schizophrenia in Africa achieve favorable outcomes, despite ongoing challenges. Key predictors—prominent positive symptoms, prolonged antipsychotic use, and good medication adherence—significantly influence prognosis. These findings underscore the need for early, personalized interventions and sustained treatment adherence. Given the heterogeneity of outcomes, region-specific strategies are essential to optimize care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cancer is one of the main causes of the most extremely stressful events that can elicit emotional reactions such as depression. Cancer patient caregivers are the most involved members of the oncology team and play an important role in patient's disease management and palliation which may adversely affect their health in the longer run, but many times the caregiver has been overlooked and ignored team. A corresponding systematic review on this topic has not yet been undertaken, even though there have been several studies about depression among primary caregivers of patients with cancer in Africa. Methods: To find studies, we searched databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, African Journal Online, and Google Scholar. A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet was used to extract the data, which were then transferred to STATA version 14 for analysis. The statistical heterogeneity was evaluated by using Cochran's Q and I 2 statistics. To identify publication bias, Egger regression tests and funnel plot analysis were used. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were carried out. Results: The current systematic review and meta-analysis comprised all 1983 research respondents from 10 studies. The overall pooled prevalence of depression among primary caregivers of patients with cancer was 47.21% with a 95% CI (31.76, 62.65: I 2 = 98.4%). According to subgroup analysis, the pooled prevalence of depression was higher in the studies that used the back depression inventory screening tool (63.95%) (95% CI: 58.76, 69.13). Additionally, we observed a high pooled prevalence of depression in existing studies conducted in Kenya (62.7%) (95% CI: 56.45, 68.95). Finally, a greater prevalence of depression was found among primary caregivers of children with cancer (64.61%) (95% CI: 58.19, 71.03). Conclusion and recommendations: The current systematic review and meta-analysis showed that depression was prevalent among primary caregivers of patients with cancer in Africa. The study also highlighted variability in prevalence based on country, method of depression assessment, and population subgroups. Therefore, public health interventions targeting the mental health of caregivers should be promoted. Priority should be given to those who care for children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cancer is a disease causing abnormal cell proliferation, and can cause stress, anxiety, and emotional reactions in patients. Despite studies in Africa showing psychological distress in cancer patients, a systematic review on this topic has not yet been conducted. Methods: To find papers, searches were conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, African Journal Online, and Google Scholar. This systematic review and meta-analysis encompassed fifteen primary articles from seven African countries that underwent assessment and inclusion. A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet was used to extract the data, which were then transferred to STATA version 14 for analysis. The statistical heterogeneity was evaluated by using Cochran's Q and I2 statistics. Egger regression tests and funnel plot analysis were employed to look for publication bias. A sensitivity analysis and a subgroup analysis were performed. Result: This systematic review and meta-analysis comprised a total of 1567 research participants from 15 different investigations. In Africa, 42.83% of cancer patients overall had a pooled prevalence of psychological distress (95% CI: 19.40, 66.27). Being a rural area (AOR = 2.30; 95% CI: 1.49 to 3.55), having no social support (AOR = 4.63; 95% CI: 2.18 to 9.86), being in stage II cancer (AOR = 2.72; 95% CI: 1.38 to 5.38), having a co-occurring chronic illness (AOR = 2.78; 95% CI: 1.34, 5.74), experiencing financial difficulties (AOR = 16.52; 3.56, 76.63), and experiencing difficult emotional life (AOR = 2.53; 1.07, 5.97) were associated with psychological distress. Conclusion: This study shows that there is a high prevalence of psychological distress among cancer patients in Africa. We have also found a significant relationship between psychological distress and rural living, a lack of social support, an advanced stage of the disease, coexisting medical conditions, financial problems, and emotional difficulties. Early detection to lessen psychological discomfort in this susceptible population is essential to reduce the burden of psychological distress among cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Poor sleep quality is a serious concern among diabetes mellitus patients, adversely affecting glycemic management and the prognosis of diabetic patients. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to estimate the overall pooled prevalence of poor sleep quality and its associated factors among diabetic patients in Sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: Several search databases were employed to retrieve the eligible studies. A standardized data extraction format was used to extract the data, and the analysis was conducted using STATA version 14. To determine heterogeneity, the I2 test was conducted, and both the funnel plot and Egger's regression test were used to assess the publication bias. A random effects model meta-analysis was performed to estimate the overall prevalence and associated factors of poor sleep quality. Results: In the current meta-analysis, a total of 11 studies with 3,766 study participants were included. The overall pooled prevalence of poor sleep quality among diabetic patients was 53.22% (95% CI: 36.26, 70.19). Poor sleep quality was significantly associated with longer duration of diabetes (OR = 2.94, 95% CI: 1.85, 4.67), poor glycemic control (OR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.51, 3.32), depression (OR = 4.09, 95% CI: 2.07, 8.05) and comorbidity (OR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.31, 2.88). Conclusion: In this study, more than half of diabetic patients in Sub-Saharan Africa had poor sleep quality. Therefore, healthcare providers should give more attention to sleep disorders when screening diabetic patients to improve their poor sleep quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many adolescents are vulnerable to gender-based violence, and it is a major public health issue. Even though the burden of gender-based violence is still high in Ethiopia, there is a lack of summary information to address the problem. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the pooled magnitude and factors associated with gender-based violence among female students in Ethiopian higher educational institutions. Methods: The primary articles were searched using databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, CINAHL, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and African Journal Online. Articles that assessed the magnitude and factors associated with GBV among female students in Ethiopia were included. A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet was used to extract the data, which was then exported to Stata version 14 for further analysis. The statistical heterogeneity was evaluated using the I² test. Due to heterogeneity, a random effect meta-analysis model was employed. Publication bias was checked through Egger's weighted regression test and funnel plot. Results: This study included twenty-five primary studies with 13,013 participants. The prevalence of lifetime GBV (n = 7), sexual violence (n = 25), and physical violence (n = 7) was found to be 51.42% (42.38, 60.46), 46.53% (39.86, 53.21), and 37.93% (24.68, 51.18), respectively. Witnessing their mother's abuse by their father during childhood, a lack of open discussion in the family about reproductive health and related personal issues, alcohol consumption, and tight family control were some of the factors significantly associated with lifetime gender-based violence. Furthermore, those who had drunken friends, a regular boyfriend, multiple sexual partners, and chat chewing were factors significantly associated with lifetime sexual violence. Conclusions and recommendations: Our findings revealed that half of female students at higher institutions suffered from violence. So it is recommended to provide accessible information about the consequences of GBV and early intervention for students with the above factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Currently, the problem of cancer has been increasing around the world, predominantly in middle- and low-income countries. Anemia, a major and often overwhelming health burden for cancer patients, significantly distorts their quality of life. It is well-established that the length of treatment increases the frequency of anemia, with hematological malignancies experiencing nearly double the rate compared to solid tumors. Despite this established knowledge, data on the prevalence of anemia among cancer patients in Ethiopia remains scarce, according to the investigators. Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of baseline anemia and associated factors among adult cancer patients at Northwest Amhara Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals, oncology treatment units, Northwest Ethiopia, in 2021. Methods: This study employed an institutional-based cross-sectional design and was conducted in Northwest Amhara Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 315 participants. The data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires and chart reviews of existing medical records using a structured and pretested questionnaire format. The data were entered into Epi. Data version 4.6 and analyzed using Stata version 14.0. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were carried out to identify factors associated with anemia. Adjusted odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval and variables with a p-value of < 0.05 were considered significantly associated with anemia. Results: The prevalence of baseline anemia among adult patients with cancer was found to be 34.84%. Being a woman (AOR = 1.97; 95% CI: 1.00-3.87), being underweight (AOR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.09-3.52), and having stage III cancer (AOR = 2.35; 95% CI: 1.12-3.01) were significantly associated with anemia. Conclusion: The prevalence of baseline anemia among adult cancer patients was significant. Women, cancer patients with an underweight body mass index, and those diagnosed with clinical-stage III cancer were more likely to have baseline anemia. For health policymakers and healthcare providers, it is better to give special attention to female patients, patients who are underweight, and patients with advanced-stage cancer to reduce the risk of developing the outcome. This would allow for timely intervention to manage anemia and potentially improve treatment tolerance and quality of life for cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is the most prevalent but neglected psychiatric disorder, with somatic symptoms that are severe enough to markedly affect usual daily activities and have a negative impact on mental health and quality of life by affecting female patients’ behavior and cognition. Studies regarding premenstrual dysphoric disorder and associated factors among high school students in low- and middle-income countries are limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of PMDD among high school students, and this is pivotal in further investigation. Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 25 to April 17, 2023 using a simple random-sampling technique to select a sample of 564 participants. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder was assessed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Selfadministered standardized questionnaires were used to collect data. Result: A total of 548 study participants participated, with a 97.2% response rate. The prevalence of premenstrual dysphoric disorder among high school students was found to be 33.03% (95%CI: 29.20–37.09). In a multivariable analysis, irregular menstruation cycle (AOR = 4.242, 95%CI = 2.182–8.246), depression (AOR = 5.272, 95%CI = 2.779–10.002), having greater than 4 days of menstruation bleeding duration (AOR = 2.138, 95%CI = 1.105–4.138), and high perceived stress (AOR = 3.468, 95%CL = 1.217–9.880) were the factors significantly associated with premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Conclusion: The overall prevalence of PMDD which was one-third among high school students was high. Moreover, long duration of menstruation bleeding, depressive symptoms, irregular menstruation cycle, and high perceived stress were significant factors in PMDD. Therefore, it needs early screening and intervention in primary healthcare settings, especially for those who have high perceived stress, having depression, having a long duration of menstruation bleeding, and having an irregular menstruation cycle, so as to have good academic achievement and psychological wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Poor sleep quality significantly impacts academic performance in university students. However, inconsistent and inconclusive results were found in a study on sleep among university students in several African nations. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence and associated factors of poor sleep quality among university students in Africa. Methods: The databases PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, African Journal Online, and Google Scholar were searched to identify articles. A total of 35 primary articles from 11 African countries were assessed and included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Data were extracted by using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and exported to STATA version 14 for analysis. The I2 test was used to assess the statistical heterogeneity. A random effect metaanalysis model was employed with 95% confidence intervals. Funnel plots analysis and Egger regression tests were used to check the presence of publication bias. A subgroup analysis and a sensitivity analysis were done. Results: A total of 16,275 study participants from 35 studies were included in this meta-analysis and systematic review. The overall pooled prevalence of poor sleep quality among university students in Africa was 63.31% (95% CI: 56.91-65.71) I2 = 97.2. The subgroup analysis shows that the combined prevalence of poor sleep quality in East, North, West, and South Africa were 61.31 (95% CI: 56.91-65.71), 62.23 (95% CI: 54.07-70.39), 54.43 (95% CI: 47.39-61.48), and 69.59 (95% CI: 50.39-88.80) respectively. Being stressed (AOR= 2.39; 95% CI: 1.63 to 3.51), second academic year (AOR= 3.10; 95% CI: 2.30 to 4.19), use of the electronic device at bedtime (AOR= 3.97 95% CI: 2.38 to 6.61)) and having a comorbid chronic illness (AOR = 2.71; 95% CI: 1.08, 6.82) were factors significantly associated with poor sleep quality. Conclusion: This study shows that there is a high prevalence of poor sleep quality among university students in Africa. Being stressed, in the second year, using electronic devices at bedtime, and having chronic illness were factors associated with poor sleep quality. Therefore, addressing contributing factors and implementing routine screenings are essential to reduce the burden of poor sleep quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A large number of people are often directly involved in armed conflict and, therefore, are at greater risk of developing a wide range of mental disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder. Despite this, few have been reported about it in low- and middle-income countries, including Ethiopia., Objective: This study was carried out to assess the magnitude and factors associated with post-traumatic stress disorder among war-affected internally displaced people in northwest Ethiopia, 2022., Methods: Cross-sectional study design was conducted from May 23 to June 22, 2022, and simple random sampling was used to select a sample of 412 participants. Data were collected by structured interviewer-administered questionnaires. The post-traumatic stress disorder checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition with extended criteria-A was used to assess post-traumatic stress disorder. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to identify factors associated with post-traumatic stress disorder., Results: A total of 412 participants were interviewed with the response rate of 100%. The mean age of the respondents was 34.7 (±10.9) years. The prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder was found to be 60.98% (95% CI: 56.1%, 65.5%) with an estimated prevalence of 23.5% and 76.5% among males and females, respectively. In multivariable analysis, female sex (AOR = 2.39; 95% CI: 1.48, 3.86), having depression (AOR = 2.86; 95% CI: 1.78, 4.60), family history of mental illness (AOR = 3.67; 95% CI: 1.43, 9.42), and poor social support (AOR = 3.61; 95% CI: 1.74, 7.47) were factors significantly associated with post-traumatic stress disorder at p -value < 0.05., Conclusion and Recommendation: Based on this study, at least 6 out of 10 war-affected populations have experienced post-traumatic stress disorder. Especially females, those who had depression, family history of mental illness, and poor social support, were more vulnerable to post-traumatic stress disorder. Therefore, it is recommended to do on-site screening and provide treatment for all displaced populations suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder by giving special concern for females, individuals having depression, poor social support, and family history of mental illness., Competing Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© The Author(s) 2024.)