Trauma Intervention in Sub-Saharan African Children: A Systematic Literature Review

Area of Science:

• Global Mental Health
• Child Psychology
• Trauma Studies

Background:

• Sub-Saharan Africa faces significant trauma, leading to severe mental health challenges.
• The region has the least access to mental health services globally, despite high need.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) mandates increased mental health resources and capacity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing literature on mental health treatments for children exposed to trauma in sub-Saharan Africa.
• To identify types of treatments used, their adaptation, administration, and outcomes.
• To assess the effectiveness of these interventions in the region.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative systematic review of 20 articles.
• Literature search focused on research conducted in sub-Saharan African countries.
• Analysis of treatment types, adaptation strategies, providers, and reported outcomes.

Main Results:

• A majority of reviewed treatments demonstrated effectiveness for child trauma populations in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Various adaptation strategies were employed to suit local contexts.
• Research indicates a growing effort to implement sustainable, evidence-based mental health care.

Conclusions:

• Adapted mental health treatments are effective for children experiencing trauma in sub-Saharan Africa.
• The findings support the ongoing efforts to build sustainable mental health capacity in underserved regions.
• Further research and implementation are crucial to address the mental health gap.