Visual impairment (VI) can significantly interfere in the child’s daily activities and quality of life, having a negative effect on their development and learning. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of VI and associated demographic factors in students examined during the program “Moçambique te vejo melhor”. This study was cross-sectional and retrospective, based on the 2018/19 edition of the program. Eye examinations were performed in secondary school students, aged between 12 and 20 years, of five districts in Nampula province. The examination included visual acuity, non-cycloplegic refraction and assessment of the anterior and posterior segment and ocular adnexa. The prevalence of uncorrected, presenting and best-corrected VI found was 18.3%, 10.8%, and 5.0%, respectively. Refractive error (RE) had a prevalence of 24.7%, and the age groups between 15–17 years and 18–20 years were significantly associated with myopia (with OR: 4.9 and OR: 8.8, respectively), as well as the 11th and 12th grade (OR: 8.1 and OR: 10.7, respectively), and Malema district had association with myopia (ORa: 0.4) and hyperopia (ORa: 0.4 and OR: 0.3) as a protective factor. The prevalence of RE and VI was relatively high, showing the need for greater intervention at the school level.

Purpose: Mental health disorders are global concerns, but their impact varies across regions. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the influence of country-specific factors on mental health is under-researched. This study investigates the influence of country of origin on the prevalence and severity of mental health conditions among university students and staff across select SSA countries. Method: A cross-sectional, web-based survey using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) was conducted from 16 April to 18 November 2024. The survey was distributed online through multiple African social networks, reaching students and staff from different universities across Africa. Prevalence estimates for anxiety, depression, and stress were based on binomial distribution with Clopper-Pearson confidence intervals, while country-level differences were assessed using univariate odds ratios and multiple logistic regression. Results: Of the 3221 participants, aged 25.3 ± 8.6 (mean±SD), the majority (1850, 57.3%) were females. Findings revealed that Nigerians reported the highest prevalence of severe and extremely severe mental health conditions, while Ghanaians recorded the lowest levels across all mental health categories. Multivariable analysis revealed that, compared to Ghanaians, respondents from Malawi had the strongest odds for mental health challenges followed by Mozambique and Nigeria. The adjusted odds ratios (AORs) for Malawi were 4.39 (95% CI: 3.28–5.89), 3.86 (95% CI: 2.81–5.29) and 4.51 (95% CI: 3.33–6.11) for depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. Conclusions: This study found significant differences in mental health outcomes between participants from Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, and Nigeria. Malawi had the greatest risk for depression, anxiety, stress, and combinations of those conditions while Ghana reported the lowest risks. The findings emphasize the importance of considering contextual factors, such as education levels, gender, and country of origin, in understanding mental health risks. Overall, these findings underscore the critical mental health burden in sub-Saharan Africa and the need for increased access to mental health resources and targeted interventions.

Background and Aims: This study examined the association between parenthood status and psychological well‐being among university staff and students in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). Methods: A cross‐sectional, web‐based survey was conducted across 22 universities in four SSA countries using convenience sampling. A total of 1189 university staff and students, including parents and non‐parents, participated. Mental health outcomes were assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS‐21). Multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine associations between parenthood status and mental health outcomes after adjusting for sociodemographic and contextual factors. Results: Participants with children had lower odds of moderate depression (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.55; 95% CI 0.40–0.75) and severe anxiety (AOR = 0.65; 95% CI 0.50–0.86) compared with participants without children. Higher odds of severe mental health outcomes were observed among females and respondents from Malawi and Mozambique. Marital stability was associated with lower odds of severe depression and anxiety. Conclusions: Parenthood status was associated with lower odds of depression and anxiety among university staff and students in SSA. These findings highlight important sociodemographic and contextual differences in mental health within university populations and underscore the need for targeted, culturally responsive mental health interventions.