Current state of the literature on mental health in Liberia: A systematic review
Background: The Republic of Liberia recently experienced several events that resulted in wide-ranging societal impacts, including long-term civil war and an outbreak of Ebola. These types of events are linked to higher prevalence of mental disorders and psychosocial distress. As a result, it is like...
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doaj-1835fc7146344b309e9dd70684bc07b62020-11-25T04:02:37ZengAOSISSouth African Journal of Psychiatry 1608-96852078-67862020-10-01260e1e910.4102/sajpsychiatry.v26i0.1502512Current state of the literature on mental health in Liberia: A systematic reviewKimberly Hook0Kanako Ando1Senait Ghebrehiwet2Benjamin Harris3Babawale Ojediran4Haniya Syeda5David Henderson6Christina Borba7Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States of America; and, Department of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States of America; and, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of AmericaDepartment of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States of AmericaDepartment of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States of AmericaA.M. Dogliotti College of Medicine, University of Liberia, MonroviaA.M. Dogliotti College of Medicine, University of Liberia, MonroviaDepartment of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States of AmericaDepartment of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States of America; and, Department of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States of AmericaDepartment of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States of America; and, Department of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States of AmericaBackground: The Republic of Liberia recently experienced several events that resulted in wide-ranging societal impacts, including long-term civil war and an outbreak of Ebola. These types of events are linked to higher prevalence of mental disorders and psychosocial distress. As a result, it is likely that there is an increased prevalence of mental health disorders in the population. Aim: To assess and review the recent mental health literature in order to provide insight into existing mental health needs and effective or recommended interventions in post-conflict Liberia. Setting: Articles included in this study enrolled Liberians living in Liberia. Methods: A search of four databases was conducted for studies of any type that assessed mental health in Liberia between 01 January 2003 and 27 March 2019. After reviewing 363 articles, 21 articles were included in the final analysis. Articles were coded to identify common themes and needs. Results: The majority of studies used qualitative designs and were conducted in Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia. Common topics included adolescent mental health, intervention and assessment and post-conflict impacts. One article focused on mental health impacts after recovery from Ebola. Conclusion: Overall, there is a dearth of mental health literature that focuses on Liberia. This suggests ample opportunity for researchers to investigate mental health needs amongst the Liberian population and effective psychiatric interventions. Existing recommendations often focus on addressing adolescent health needs, including substance use practices. Opportunities for future research particularly related to needs of adult populations and to mental health impacts of Ebola, abound.https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1502ebolamental health disordersliberiaintervention and assessmentpsychiatric interventionssubstance use practicesadolescent |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Kimberly Hook Kanako Ando Senait Ghebrehiwet Benjamin Harris Babawale Ojediran Haniya Syeda David Henderson Christina Borba |
spellingShingle |
Kimberly Hook Kanako Ando Senait Ghebrehiwet Benjamin Harris Babawale Ojediran Haniya Syeda David Henderson Christina Borba Current state of the literature on mental health in Liberia: A systematic review South African Journal of Psychiatry ebola mental health disorders liberia intervention and assessment psychiatric interventions substance use practices adolescent |
author_facet |
Kimberly Hook Kanako Ando Senait Ghebrehiwet Benjamin Harris Babawale Ojediran Haniya Syeda David Henderson Christina Borba |
author_sort |
Kimberly Hook |
title |
Current state of the literature on mental health in Liberia: A systematic review |
title_short |
Current state of the literature on mental health in Liberia: A systematic review |
title_full |
Current state of the literature on mental health in Liberia: A systematic review |
title_fullStr |
Current state of the literature on mental health in Liberia: A systematic review |
title_full_unstemmed |
Current state of the literature on mental health in Liberia: A systematic review |
title_sort |
current state of the literature on mental health in liberia: a systematic review |
publisher |
AOSIS |
series |
South African Journal of Psychiatry |
issn |
1608-9685 2078-6786 |
publishDate |
2020-10-01 |
description |
Background: The Republic of Liberia recently experienced several events that resulted in wide-ranging societal impacts, including long-term civil war and an outbreak of Ebola. These types of events are linked to higher prevalence of mental disorders and psychosocial distress. As a result, it is likely that there is an increased prevalence of mental health disorders in the population.
Aim: To assess and review the recent mental health literature in order to provide insight into existing mental health needs and effective or recommended interventions in post-conflict Liberia.
Setting: Articles included in this study enrolled Liberians living in Liberia.
Methods: A search of four databases was conducted for studies of any type that assessed mental health in Liberia between 01 January 2003 and 27 March 2019. After reviewing 363 articles, 21 articles were included in the final analysis. Articles were coded to identify common themes and needs.
Results: The majority of studies used qualitative designs and were conducted in Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia. Common topics included adolescent mental health, intervention and assessment and post-conflict impacts. One article focused on mental health impacts after recovery from Ebola.
Conclusion: Overall, there is a dearth of mental health literature that focuses on Liberia. This suggests ample opportunity for researchers to investigate mental health needs amongst the Liberian population and effective psychiatric interventions. Existing recommendations often focus on addressing adolescent health needs, including substance use practices. Opportunities for future research particularly related to needs of adult populations and to mental health impacts of Ebola, abound. |
topic |
ebola mental health disorders liberia intervention and assessment psychiatric interventions substance use practices adolescent |
url |
https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1502 |
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