South African Journal of Psychiatry最新文献

{"title":"Clinical and socio-demographic characteristics associated with perinatal depression and human immunodeficiency virus.","authors":"Johanna H C Landman, Yumna Minty-Seth","doi":"10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v32i0.2620","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v32i0.2620","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Perinatal depression is highly prevalent in South Africa. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a known risk factor for depression, affects a large proportion of South African women of reproductive age. Few studies have compared depressive symptoms and associated risk factors in HIV-positive and HIV-negative pregnant and postpartum women, despite both conditions being linked to adverse maternal and child outcomes.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To compare socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of HIV-positive and HIV-negative women in the perinatal period attending a maternal mental health clinic.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>The maternal mental health clinic at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto, Johannesburg.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective record review was conducted on 190 patients (HIV-positive: <i>n</i> = 40; HIV-negative: <i>n</i> = 150) seen at the clinic between January 2024 and April 2025. Data were extracted from the clinic's REDCap database and analysed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The prevalence of significant depressive symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale [EPDS] score > 13) was 43.2% (<i>n</i> = 82), regardless of HIV status. High rates of unplanned pregnancies (78.1%, <i>n</i> = 145), substance use in pregnancy (19.5%, <i>n</i> = 37), and intimate partner violence (15.1%, <i>n</i> = 28) were observed regardless of HIV status. Poor social support was significantly more prevalent among HIV-positive women (<i>p</i> = 0.042).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Perinatal depressive symptoms were highly prevalent. Human immunodeficiency virus-positive women were more likely to report poor social support, a key risk factor for depressive symptoms. The findings of this study underscore the need for targeted psychosocial interventions.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>This study encourages further research to explore risk factors associated with perinatal depression, especially in HIV-positive women.</p>","PeriodicalId":51156,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Psychiatry","volume":"32 ","pages":"2620"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13058498/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147647423","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A case report: Neuroimaging in an atypical presentation of Parkinson's disease.","authors":"Sibusiso N F Sotobe Mose, Karishma Lowton","doi":"10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v32i0.2522","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v32i0.2522","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second leading neurodegenerative disorder in the world. The diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) is mainly through clinical presentation of motor and non-motor symptoms. Motor symptoms include tremor, bradykinesia and rigidity. Atypical parkinsonism may pose a challenge in diagnosing IPD. Functional neuroimaging can assist in diagnosing IPD and in differentiating it from atypical parkinsonism due to other neurodegenerative aetiologies.</p><p><strong>Patient presentation: </strong>We present a case report of a patient with atypical parkinsonism and mild neurocognitive disorder.</p><p><strong>Management and outcome: </strong>Neuroimaging revealed IPD, distinguishing it from other causes of neurocognitive disorders. The patient received multidisciplinary team (MDT) input and appropriate medication, including a fixed combination of carbidopa and levodopa, rivastigmine, venlafaxine and quetiapine with improvement of his symptomatology.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Neuroimaging assisted in establishing the diagnosis and guiding treatment.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>Although evidence and studies are needed for definitive use in clinical practice, there is supportive evidence to suggest the diagnostic utility of these modalities in parkinsonian syndromes.</p>","PeriodicalId":51156,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Psychiatry","volume":"32 ","pages":"2522"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13058538/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147647439","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence of depression and association with quality-of-life among oncology patients at Princess Marina Hospital, Botswana: A cross-sectional study.","authors":"Swetha B Jammalamadugu, Rebecca Luckett, Philip Opondo","doi":"10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v32i0.2586","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v32i0.2586","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Depression significantly impacts cancer patients globally, complicating treatment outcomes by negatively affecting quality-of-life (QOL), self-care and treatment adherence. However, little is known about the prevalence of depression and its effects on QOL among cancer patients in Botswana.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depression and its relationship with QOL among cancer patients at Princess Marina Hospital's oncology unit.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>Patients seen at the oncology unit of Princess Marina Hospital, Botswana's largest tertiary referral hospital.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2023 to August 2024. The sample size was 302. Socio-demographic data were collected using a researcher-designed questionnaire. Depression was assessed using the PHQ-9, with a score of 9 or higher indicating depression, and QOL was measured using the WHOQOL-BREF.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The prevalence of depression was 35.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 30.3%, 41.5%). Patients with depression had a higher mean pain score (6 vs. 4, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and poorer QOL across all domains: physical health (40.9 vs. 59.7, <i>p</i> < 0.001), psychological health (52.3 vs. 69.3, <i>p</i> < 0.001), social relationships (49.0 vs. 68.3, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and environmental health (48.1 vs. 58.8, <i>p</i> < 0.001). A new diagnosis of cancer was associated with an increased risk of depression (<i>p</i> = 0.03).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The prevalence of depression among cancer patients is high in Botswana, and it is associated with poorer QOL, highlighting a significant public health concern.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>Treatment of depression in this group of patients, along with pain management, may be crucial in improving their QOL.</p>","PeriodicalId":51156,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Psychiatry","volume":"32 ","pages":"2586"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13058518/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147647566","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence of depressive symptoms among teachers in the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa.","authors":"Kebogile E Mokwena, Khomotso C Maaga, Moreoagae B Randa","doi":"10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v32i0.2532","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v32i0.2532","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Depression is a significant contributor to the overall burden of mental disorders. The workplace has been identified as a notable source of depression, which includes the school environment. Mental disorders among teachers, especially if undiagnosed and untreated, contribute to compromised teaching and learning outcomes.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms among teachers in the Tshwane Municipality, South Africa.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>Tshwane Municipality, South Africa.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The Patient Health Questionnaire was used to screen depressive symptoms; a quantitative questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data; and Stata 14 was used to analyse the data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Most of the participants (<i>n</i> = 299, 75.13%) were female and married (<i>n</i> = 223, 56.03%), with a mean age of 39.5 years (standard deviation [SD] 12.4). The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 50.25% (<i>n</i> = 200). Being married, teaching Grade 12 and not seeking professional mental help within the previous 6 months were associated with the presence of depressive symptoms (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings of this study indicate a high prevalence of depressive symptoms among teachers in the Tshwane Municipality, highlighting depression as a significant mental health concern within the school environment.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>This study confirmed the high prevalence of depressive symptoms among both primary and high school teachers and across the three districts of the Tshwane Municipality.</p>","PeriodicalId":51156,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Psychiatry","volume":"32 ","pages":"2532"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12969558/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147437368","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence of burnout and contributing factors among physicians in Burundi: A cross-sectional study.","authors":"Innocent Nduwimana, Epipode Ntawuyamara, Guoxia Zhang","doi":"10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v32i0.2621","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v32i0.2621","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Burnout negatively impacts interpersonal skills, job performance, career satisfaction and psychological health and is marked by physical and emotional exhaustion from prolonged exposure to emotionally demanding work. Despite its known consequences, research on physician burnout prevalence and burden in Burundi remains limited.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study aimed to assess the prevalence and investigate the contributing factors of burnout among physicians in Burundi.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>Public and private sector hospitals in Burundi.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted this cross-sectional analytical study in Burundi from 25 February 2025 to 25 April 2025, recruiting 435 hospital-based physicians with a minimum of 1 year of experience. Data on socio-demographics and burnout contributors were collected via a structured questionnaire, with burnout prevalence assessed using the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI). SPSS was used for analysis. Multinomial logistic regression was used to investigate the association with burnout.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 435 physicians, burnout was high at 66.2%, with over half disengaged and most exhausted. Burnout was linked to heavy workloads, long hours, limited patient time, poor work-life balance, financial strain and difficult workplace dynamics, especially among younger, less experienced doctors.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>High prevalence rates of physician burnout have been observed in Burundi, driven by work-related and socio-demographic factors. Addressing the problem of burnout is crucial for sustainable healthcare, patient safety, physician well-being and overall healthcare system performance.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>This study provides the first national-level evidence of physician burnout prevalence and contributing factors in Burundi, establishing a crucial foundation for targeted organisational interventions and developments.</p>","PeriodicalId":51156,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Psychiatry","volume":"32 ","pages":"2621"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12969659/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147437395","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Lithium prescription patterns for bipolar disorder at a psychiatric hospital in KwaZulu-Natal.","authors":"Ntibelleng N Motebele, Vuyokazi Ntlantsana, Sibongile Mashaphu, Shamima Saloojee","doi":"10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v32i0.2576","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v32i0.2576","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Lithium is regarded as the gold standard in the treatment of bipolar disorder (BD) globally and is accordingly recommended as first-line treatment for BD in the South African public sector guidelines. However, there is a downward trend in the use of lithium internationally, with a paucity of research regarding lithium use in South Africa.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study aimed to investigate the prescription of lithium for outpatients with BD.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>Townhill Hospital, a tertiary pyschiatric hospital in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu- Natal.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective review of the clinical records of outpatients aged 18 and above who were treated for BD was conducted from 01 August 2022 to 31 July 2024.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 206 records that were reviewed, there were 137 (66.5%) females and 69 (33.5%) males with a median age of 37 years (interquartile range 30.0, 50.0). Only 13 (6.3%) of patients were taking lithium, all in combination with other medications. Most patients were prescribed oral antipsychotics (72.8%; <i>n</i> = 150) and anticonvulsant mood stabilisers (72.8%; <i>n</i> = 150), followed by antidepressants (55.8%; <i>n</i> = 115), alone or in combination with other psychotropics.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The low prescription of lithium for BD in this study is concerning, despite the long-standing evidence for lithium's efficacy and effectiveness in the literature. This highlights the need to remind clinicians about the South African BD guidelines.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>The results of this study expand the existing literature on lithium prescribing patterns in BD internationally by contributing data on the prescription of lithium for BD in Africa.</p>","PeriodicalId":51156,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Psychiatry","volume":"32 ","pages":"2576"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12969593/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147437348","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unmet needs of young adults following first-episode psychosis in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: Baseline findings from a pilot randomised controlled trial of basic income support.","authors":"Joyce P Mlay, Vuyokazi Ntlantsana, Neliswa Gcabashe, Lise Jamieson, Thirusha Naidu, Busisiwe S Bhengu, Lindokuhle T Thela, Saeeda Paruk, Jonathan K Burns, Bonginkosi Chiliza, Richard Lessells, Andrew Tomita","doi":"10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v32i0.2455","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v32i0.2455","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>People with psychosis have multiple and complex needs. The first episode of psychosis (FEP), as a distinct health challenge that occurs frequently during adolescence or early adult years, is a serious threat because of high levels of poverty among the youth in South Africa.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study quantifies the needs among unemployed FEP adults aged 18-29 years in South Africa for potential early intervention targeting.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>The study was conducted at government psychiatric facilities in Msunduzi Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>As part of a pilot randomised controlled trial of an unconditional cash transfer (UCT) intervention, also known as basic income support (BIS), 60 FEP participants were enrolled, and we assessed their needs using the Camberwell Assessment of Needs, the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale and the Water Insecurity Experience Scale. Descriptive cross-sectional analyses were summarised for various domains of needs.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Most participants were black people (<i>n</i> = 58, 96.7%), male (<i>n</i> = 47, 78.3%), with a median age of 23 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 20.0-25.5), with half being diagnosed with schizophrenia (<i>n</i> = 30, 50%). The most significant severe unmet need was the inability to access government benefits to which one is entitled. Despite the limited availability of mental health services in South Africa, the majority reported that their need for managing psychotic symptoms was met or partially met.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The needs of youth must go beyond the temporary management of psychotic symptoms.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>This study highlights the unmet needs of young adults with FEP in resource-constrained environments and underscores the need for integrated interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":51156,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Psychiatry","volume":"32 ","pages":"2455"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12973257/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147437389","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"South African mental health workers' knowledge and attitudes to trans and gender-diverse people.","authors":"Maya Jaffer, Laila Paruk, Belinda Marais","doi":"10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v32i0.2513","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v32i0.2513","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals experience higher rates of mental illness compared to cisgender populations. Accessing appropriate care remains challenging because of discrimination and a lack of provider knowledge. There is limited evidence exploring mental health worker views in a local setting.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study aimed to explore knowledge and attitudes of South African mental health workers in specialised psychiatric settings towards TGD people.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>This study was conducted at two specialist tertiary psychiatric hospitals in Johannesburg.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional descriptive study utilising the Transgender Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs (T-KAB) scale was conducted among 150 mental health workers. Information on socio-demographic features, professional characteristics, and work experience was collected and analysed in relation to T-KAB scores.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants demonstrated moderately favourable attitudes with a mean T-KAB score of 2.81/4.00. Professional category significantly influenced attitudes, with psychologists followed by medical doctors scoring the highest, and nurses and social workers scoring lowest. Age, sexual orientation, and religious affiliation were significantly associated with T-KAB scores, while years of practice, previous training in TGD-related care, and prior exposure to TGD patients showed no associations.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Mental health professionals in South African psychiatric hospitals hold moderately positive attitudes towards TGD individuals, with significant variations across professional categories. Prior training and clinical exposure were not associated with attitudes.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>This study provides one of the first assessments of mental health worker attitudes towards TGD individuals in an African setting. Nurses constitute the majority of the workforce and demonstrate less favourable attitudes, which has implications for approaches to improve transgender-affirming mental healthcare in this setting.</p>","PeriodicalId":51156,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Psychiatry","volume":"32 ","pages":"2513"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12969606/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147437430","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Insomnia among vocational college students in China: Status and influencing factors.","authors":"Chunying Chang, Jiabao Zhai, Die Hu, Yanan Zheng","doi":"10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v32i0.2595","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v32i0.2595","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Sleep-related problems, particularly insomnia and sleep disturbances, have become increasingly prevalent. However, few studies have specifically explored these issues among vocational college students.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of insomnia and its relationship with sleep disturbances in Chinese vocational college students.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>Two vocational colleges in Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, China.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional survey was conducted in April 2025 using cluster sampling. A total of 1,993 students completed the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), the Espie Sleep Disturbance Questionnaire (SDQ) and a self-designed questionnaire.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In all, 48.02% of students reported insomnia symptoms in the past month. Higher insomnia severity was significantly associated with three SDQ dimensions: sleep restlessness/agitation (<i>t</i> = 7.466, <i>p</i> < 0.001), mental overactivity (<i>t</i> = 9.670, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and preoccupation with insomnia consequences (<i>t</i> = 9.509, <i>p</i> < 0.001). Other significant factors included being female (<i>t</i> = -3.582, <i>p</i> < 0.001), being a freshman (<i>t</i> = -5.782, <i>p</i> < 0.001), dissatisfaction with their academic major (<i>t</i> = -4.731, <i>p</i> < 0.001), alcohol use (<i>t</i> = 2.654, <i>p</i> = 0.007) and engaging in fewer than 7 h per week of extracurricular study or reading (<i>t</i> = -2.328, <i>p</i> = 0.020).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Insomnia in vocational college students is influenced by multiple factors and is strongly linked to sleep disturbances.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>This study provides empirical evidence on insomnia in this population and offers insights to guide targeted interventions in higher education settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":51156,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Psychiatry","volume":"32 ","pages":"2595"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12969595/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147437353","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Validation and improvement of the mental health literacy scale to assess undergraduate nursing students in South Africa.","authors":"Lauren Blommetjies, Elmari Deacon","doi":"10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v32i0.2533","DOIUrl":"10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v32i0.2533","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Mental Health Literacy (MHL) refers to knowledge, skills and attitudes related to mental health and is often measured by the revised Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS). This scale has been validated on a group of primary healthcare (PHC) workers in Zambia and South Africa, but its usefulness for a group of nursing students has not been investigated until now.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To investigate the psychometric properties of the revised scale for a group of undergraduate nursing students at a South African university, while also assessing the level of MHL in the group under investigation.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>Nursing students (<i>N</i> = 121) studying for their Bachelor of Nursing degree at a South African public university.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was conducted between July 2023 and August 2023, using a purposive sampling technique. A socio-demographic data form and a revised version of the MHLS were used to collect data online. Descriptive statistics, Cronbach's alpha, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to analyse the data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The EFA and CFA seemed to confirm a new 5-factor structure, including only 17 items. This structure holds similar factors to the MHL subscales. The reliability of most of the new factors was good, with two factors that need further intervention. This version of the MHLS proposed satisfactory levels of MHL for this group.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study proposes a shortened, 5-factor structure version of the MHLS to be used to assess nursing students.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>The revised 5-factor structure measure can potentially identify gaps in the MHL of students, and this can inform appropriate interventions to address the MHL needs in South Africa generally.</p>","PeriodicalId":51156,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Psychiatry","volume":"32 ","pages":"2533"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12869798/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146127186","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}