Researchers reviewed 128 studies to evaluate how well different tools identify mental health disorders in adolescents aged 12 to 18 in sub-Saharan Africa. The review covered 26 different conditions. A smaller group of 36 articles specifically looked at four common screening tools for depression: the EPDS, PHQ-9 (including two-step versions), PHQ-2, and K-10.
The results show that these tools are used to measure diagnostic accuracy. However, the researchers noted that many of the original studies had a high risk of bias. Additionally, only 21 out of 48 countries in the region had validated at least one screening tool for their specific population.
Because of the variety in how these tests were performed and the limited number of validated tools, the results should be viewed with caution. The findings highlight a significant need for more local, context-specific tools designed specifically for adolescents in this region to ensure accurate care.
