Background: Psychiatric disorders significantly impact pediatric populations globally, affecting individual development, education and societal integration. In Nigeria, where nearly half of the population is under the age of 15, there remains a substantial gap in our understanding of the burden of these disorders within this demographic. This systematic review was conducted to quantify the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among Nigerian children and adolescents in clinical and community settings. Methods: We identified and examined original research articles available in PUBMED/Medline, EMBASE, and AJOL from January 2010 to August 2024, and selected studies that evaluated the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among children and adolescents ( 75%). The most common psychiatric disorders across the different settings were major depression among children and adolescents attending primary care (prevalence = 7.6%; 95% CI: 1.0; 40.5; three studies; 1,278 individuals), separation anxiety disorder among primary school children (prevalence = 14%; 95% CI: 9.5, 19.6; one study; 200 pupils), and behavioral disorders among secondary school students (prevalence = 15.1%; 95% CI: 14.4, 15.8; one study; 9,450 adolescents). Conclusion: The prevalence of psychiatric disorders among Nigerian children and adolescents is substantial, underscoring the critical need for enhanced mental health services.

Mental disorders frequently coexist with neurological conditions, impacting the overall health, quality of life, and outcome of affected individuals. In Nigeria, where both neurological disorders and mental health challenges are prevalent, understanding the intersection of these comorbidities is crucial for improving patient outcomes. This study aims to assess the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among people with neurologic conditions in Nigeria and to identify factors that may influence the prevalence rates. Medical literature databases (PUBMED, EMBASE and African Journals Online) were systematically searched to identify published papers on the prevalence of mental disorders among people with neurologic conditions from 2010 to date. Meta-analysis to estimate the pooled prevalences were based on random effects models and heterogeneity was assessed using metaregression and subgroup analyses. Risk of bias in individual studies was evaluated using the NIH Quality Assessment Tool and confidence in the pooled prevalence estimates was assessed using the GRADE approach. Eighteen studies among 4,457 individuals were included. Among people with neurologic conditions in Nigeria, the pooled prevalence was approximately 17.6% (95% CI: 10.5%, 28.0%; I2 = 97%; 15 studies; 3,832 individuals; low certainty) for major depression and 6.4% (95% CI: 3.9, 10.2; I2 = 23%; three studies; 381 individuals; moderate certainty) for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Meta-regression indicated that major depression was more common with advancing age (p-heterogeneity = 0.010), among females than males (p-heterogeneity = 0.013), and in the southern regions of the country (p-heterogeneity = 0.049). The pooled prevalence of major depression was approximately 26.92% (95% CI: 16.44%, 40.82%; I2 = 95%) among stroke survivors and 11.90% (95% CI: 6.2%, 21.6%; I2 = 92%) among people with epilepsy. Psychiatric morbidity is highly prevalent among people with neurologic conditions in Nigeria and approaches to address both neurological and mental health needs simultaneously may be necessary.

Micronutrient deficiencies are common and frequently co-occurring among people living with HIV (PLHIV) globally, with consequences for their health and clinical outcomes. Previous reviews of the influence of micronutrient supplementation on HIV outcomes were conducted in the pre–highly active antiretroviral therapy (pre-HAART) era or included both HAART-naive and HAART-experienced individuals; thus, the evidence in the context of HAART is inconclusive. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effect of micronutrient supplementation on important clinical outcomes among PLHIV on HAART. Original research articles published up to August 2022 in the following medical literature databases were identified and examined: PubMed/Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and pre-post intervention studies that evaluated the relationship of micronutrient supplementation and HIV-related outcomes were included. A total of 32 studies investigating the effect of micronutrient supplementation on HIV outcomes in PLHIV on HAART were included. The main outcomes of interest were disease progression, CD4 lymphocyte count, viral load, weight, body mass index (BMI), hemoglobin, and anemia. The Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB) 2 and ROBINS-I tools were used to assess the risk of bias in included studies, and GRADE was used to assess the certainty of the evidence. Vitamin D supplementation increased serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration by 23.2 nmol/L (95% CI: 11.8 to 34.6; 6 RCTs, 567 participants; low-certainty evidence), but had little to no effect on CD4 lymphocyte counts (mean difference [MD]: 60 cells/µL; 95% CI: −35 to 155; 4 RCTs, 127 participants; low-certainty evidence). The effect of vitamin D on CD4 lymphocyte counts was greater among those with baseline CD4 count <350 cells/µL compared with counterparts with higher CD4 lymphocyte counts. Evidence from single RCTs suggests a beneficial effect of vitamin D on the incidence of sputum-smear–positive tuberculosis (hazard ratio = 0.54; 95% CI: 0.31, 0.92; 4000 participants; low-certainty evidence), and vitamin E (MD = 0.2 g/dL; 95% CI: 0.1, 0.3; 18 participants; moderate-certainty evidence) and selenium (MD = 0.30 g/dL; 95% CI: 0.29, 0.31; 97 participants; high-certainty evidence) on hemoglobin, and selenium on BMI (MD: −0.5; 95% CI: −0.51, −0.49; high-certainty evidence). Zinc supplementation had little to no effect on CD4 lymphocyte count overall, but for every 10-µg/dL higher serum zinc concentration, the predicted change in CD4 lymphocyte count from meta-regression was lower by 28 cells/µL (95% CI: −54, −3; 5 RCTs). Moderate- or high-certainty evidence indicates that there is probably no effect of zinc supplementation on log₁₀ viral load, vitamin D on BMI and lumbar spine bone mineral density, and multiple micronutrient (MMN) supplementation on hemoglobin. The evidence is very uncertain about the effect of zinc supplementation on hemoglobin concentration and BMI, vitamin D supplementation on lumbar spine bone mineral density, vitamin E on CD4 lymphocyte count, and MMN supplementation on CD4 lymphocyte count. Zinc and vitamin D supplementation may promote immune recovery in a substantial proportion of PLHIV on HAART, and selenium and vitamin E supplementation may prevent anemia.

Suicidal behaviors are a growing global concern, particularly among young people, yet their burden remains poorly defined in Nigeria, a country with a predominantly young population. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized data from 30 studies involving 45,190 participants published up to August 2024 to estimate the prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts in Nigeria. Studies reporting the prevalence of suicidal behaviors in the Nigerian general population or specific subgroups, using healthcare diagnosis or validated screening tools, were included. The pooled prevalence of suicidal ideation in the general population was 9.7%, while suicidal planning and attempts were estimated at 1.8% and 1.1%, respectively. Suicidal behaviors were more prevalent among adolescents, refugees, out-of-school youth, sexual minorities, and in northern regions. Prevalence estimates increased over time. These findings confirm that suicidal behaviors are common in Nigeria and underscore the need for targeted intervention strategies tailored to high-risk populations.

Background: Mental health disorders pose a major public health challenge worldwide, with one in eight individuals affected, particularly by anxiety and depression. In Nigeria, mental health issues are similarly prevalent, yet access to mental healthcare remains limited. Recent policy initiatives have increased governmental interest, but mental health research in Nigeria remains limited and fragmented. Methods: This protocol outlines a systematic review and meta-analysis methodology to quantify the prevalence of mental health disorders in Nigeria. The review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) and Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines and includes cross-sectional studies, surveys, and cohort studies providing prevalence data on mental disorders diagnosed by healthcare professionals or identified via validated screening tools in the country. Data sources include PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, and African Journals Online (AJOL), covering publications up to April 2024. Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment will be conducted independently by multiple reviewers. A random-effects meta-analysis model will be used to synthesize data, with sensitivity and subgroup analyses to explore heterogeneity. Discussion: This systematic review and meta-analysis provides an estimate of the prevalence of mental health disorders in Nigeria, informing future public health policy and resource allocation. These findings will contribute significantly to understanding mental health in Nigeria and support the development of effective strategies and policies. Systematic review registration: This protocol is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024559090).