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Background <p>Adolescent mental health disorders contribute significantly to the global disease burden. The estimates suggest that in 2019, one in seven adolescents experienced mental illness (166&#xa0;million in total, 89&#xa0;million boys and 77&#xa0;million girls). The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these numbers. Despite their severity, mental illnesses are often underdiagnosed and untreated, contributing to high global suicide rates. In Tanzania, where 23.1% of the population is aged 10–19 years, there is a notable absence of comprehensive programs to address adolescent mental health challenges. Limited infrastructure and awareness worsen this phenomenon, with common conditions like depression and alcohol use often not recognised as illnesses. Additionally, in environments affected by poverty and climate change, adolescent mental health issues are particularly pronounced, yet research and resources dedicated to this population remain insufficient. Recognizing these gaps, our study aimed to investigate determinants of mental well-being among adolescents in urban and rural Tanzania.</p> Methods <p>A cross-sectional survey was conducted from March to April 2021, targeting in-school adolescents in the Morogoro and Mwanza regions of Tanzania. The sample consisted of 489 adolescents aged 10 to 19 years. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data covering sociodemographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, violence, and mental well-being, measured through the WHO-5 Wellbeing Index. Data were analysed using Stata version 17, employing descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s α, confirmatory factor analysis, and bivariate and multivariable analysis to explore associations and factors influencing adolescent mental well-being.</p> Results <p>Out of 489 adolescents, the majority were aged 14 years and older, 270 (55.2%), with a nearly equal distribution between males and females. A significant portion of participants, 382 (78.1%), had good mental health. Experience of hunger within the past 12 months (aOR = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.26–0.51, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), experience of parental violence (aOR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.36–0.56, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), mother being a head of household (aOR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.79–0.85, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) or someone else (aOR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.23–0.62, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) were among the factors significantly associated with adolescent mental well-being. The internal consistency measure for the WHO-5 Wellbeing Index was 0.77, confirming the reliability of this instrument.</p> Conclusion <p>The findings highlight that the majority of adolescents exhibited good mental health. However, social conditions such as hunger, exposure to parental violence, and maternal headship of household were negatively associated with well-being. Early, targeted interventions addressing these factors are critical to safeguarding adolescent mental health and preventing long-term consequences on both physical and psychological well-being, which may affect future life opportunities.</p>

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Adolescents’ mental well-being and associated factors: a cross-sectional survey in selected regions of Tanzania

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年8月29日

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  • Johnson Jeremia Mshiu,
  • Felix Christopher Alexander,
  • Anelisa Martin Rushaigo,
  • Edward Amani,
  • Jose Manuel Roche,
  • Emma Samman,
  • Azan Nyundo,
  • Esther Kyungu,
  • Fiona Samuels

摘要

Background

Adolescent mental health disorders contribute significantly to the global disease burden. The estimates suggest that in 2019, one in seven adolescents experienced mental illness (166 million in total, 89 million boys and 77 million girls). The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these numbers. Despite their severity, mental illnesses are often underdiagnosed and untreated, contributing to high global suicide rates. In Tanzania, where 23.1% of the population is aged 10–19 years, there is a notable absence of comprehensive programs to address adolescent mental health challenges. Limited infrastructure and awareness worsen this phenomenon, with common conditions like depression and alcohol use often not recognised as illnesses. Additionally, in environments affected by poverty and climate change, adolescent mental health issues are particularly pronounced, yet research and resources dedicated to this population remain insufficient. Recognizing these gaps, our study aimed to investigate determinants of mental well-being among adolescents in urban and rural Tanzania.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted from March to April 2021, targeting in-school adolescents in the Morogoro and Mwanza regions of Tanzania. The sample consisted of 489 adolescents aged 10 to 19 years. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data covering sociodemographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, violence, and mental well-being, measured through the WHO-5 Wellbeing Index. Data were analysed using Stata version 17, employing descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s α, confirmatory factor analysis, and bivariate and multivariable analysis to explore associations and factors influencing adolescent mental well-being.

Results

Out of 489 adolescents, the majority were aged 14 years and older, 270 (55.2%), with a nearly equal distribution between males and females. A significant portion of participants, 382 (78.1%), had good mental health. Experience of hunger within the past 12 months (aOR = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.26–0.51, p < 0.001), experience of parental violence (aOR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.36–0.56, p < 0.001), mother being a head of household (aOR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.79–0.85, p < 0.001) or someone else (aOR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.23–0.62, p < 0.001) were among the factors significantly associated with adolescent mental well-being. The internal consistency measure for the WHO-5 Wellbeing Index was 0.77, confirming the reliability of this instrument.

Conclusion

The findings highlight that the majority of adolescents exhibited good mental health. However, social conditions such as hunger, exposure to parental violence, and maternal headship of household were negatively associated with well-being. Early, targeted interventions addressing these factors are critical to safeguarding adolescent mental health and preventing long-term consequences on both physical and psychological well-being, which may affect future life opportunities.