THE PREVALENCE OF MENTAL DISORDERS AND SELF-INJURY IN ADOLESCENTS IN KENYA, INDONESIA AND VIETNAM

Abstract

Background: There is a paucity of data to inform prevalence estimates of mental disorders for adolescents in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In 2021, National Adolescent Mental Health Surveys (NAMHSs) were conducted in Kenya, Indonesia and Vietnam. Objectives: To report the prevalence of mental disorders, self-harm and suicidal behaviours in adolescents in the three countries. Methods: Household surveys enabled assessment of mental health problems of a representative sample of adolescents aged 10-17 years. Social phobia, generalised anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, attentiondeficit hyperactivity disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder were measured using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children, Version 5. Structured questions elicited responses in relation to suicidal ideation and attempts and non-suicidal self-injury. Findings: The prevalence of each of the mental disorders, self-harm and suicidality were lower in the three lowand middle-income countries. For any mental disorder in males, the prevalence in Kenya, Indonesia and Vietnam were 13.1%, 5.8% and 3.3%, respectively. A similar pattern of prevalence estimates was found for mental disorders, suicidality and self-injury in the three countries, all significantly lower than Australia. Conclusion: The prevalence of mental health problems varies enormously between countries and is significantly lower in the low-resource settings compared to Australia. Understanding the reason for the low prevalence of mental disorders in LMICs is critical to informing societal changes required for the prevention of mental illness in adolescents.