Epidemiology of DSM-5 psychiatric disorders in Kenyan Youth with Low and High Psychosis Risk

• Published in: Comprehensive psychiatry 2024-05, Vol.131, p.152473-152473, Article 152473
• Main Authors: Sæle, Rebekka H., Ndetei, David M., Mutiso, Victoria N., Mamah, Daniel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Africa; Antisocial personality disorder; Anxiety disorders; Child & adolescent mental health; Child & adolescent psychiatry; clinical high risk; Community; comorbidities; Comorbidity; Developing countries; DIS-5; Drug use; Epidemiology; Gambling; Gender; LDCs; Mental disorders; Mental health; Population; Psychosis; Review boards; Schizophrenia; Sub-Sahara; substance use
• ISSN: 0010-440X; 1532-8384
• DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2024.152473

There are few psychiatric epidemiology studies among Kenyan youth and fewer among those at high psychosis risk (HR). This study assessed the epidemiology of DSM-5 psychiatric disorders in HR and low-risk (LR) individuals to inform research and mental health services. 567 participants (aged 15–25) in HR (n = 246) and LR (n = 260) groups based on Washington Early Recognition Center Affectivity and Psychosis (WERCAP) Screen scores. Diagnostic Interview Schedule, version 5 (DIS-5) assessed DSM-5 psychiatric disorder prevalence. Diagnostic comorbidity and demographic relationships were investigated. A higher prevalence was observed for all DSM-5 disorders in the HR group, significantly for gambling disorder (13% vs. 5.8%), major depressive disorder (9.8% vs. 3.8%), antisocial personality disorder (5.7% vs. 2.3%), general anxiety disorder (4.9% vs. 0.4%), oppositional defiant disorder (3.3% vs. 0.4%), panic disorder (2.8% vs. 0.8%), and anorexia nervosa (2.8% vs. 0%). Gambling disorder was the most prevalent and showed significant gender effects (males>females). Psychiatric disorders occur at increased rates among HR compared to LR. Prevalence rates found are lower than in US studies, except for gambling disorder which was highly prevalent. Large-population-based epidemiology studies in Africa are needed to estimate rates, particularly of disorders such as schizophrenia, accurately. •Epidemiology study in Africa with a clinical high and low risk of psychosis group.•Higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the clinical high-risk group.•Psychiatric disorders were generally lower in Africa than in the US, except for gambling disorder.•Significant gender results were found for anorexia (females>males) and gambling disorder (males>females).•Results are a foundation to inform research and mental health services.