Exploring the lived experiences of depression among youths and their guardians in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review protocol

Abstract Background The intersection between mental health and culture is more prominent when we study how different mental health conditions present in different cultures. There is enough evidence to suggest that mental health conditions like depression, for instance, present differently in Western and non-Western societies. Most phenomenological studies on youth depression have been done in high-income countries. This systematic review, therefore, seeks to understand how depression is experienced by youths (10–24 years) and their carers in SSA. Methods Two research assistants (with the help of P. M.) shall independently search articles on the following databases: PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, HealthSTAR, CINAHL, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus. Two reviewers will then independently evaluate the selected articles based on a systematic search strategy, extract relevant data, and synthesize findings using meta-aggregation techniques. We will use the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines in reporting results. The protocol is registered with the PROSPERO database (CRD42024556661). Discussion The results from this systematic review will help researchers especially in SSA to have a better understanding of how depression is experienced by adolescents in the region and its impact on their guardians. This has a potential of informing a diagnostic or screening tool that is sensitive to the context of SSA. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42024556661. Date of registration: 10th June 2024.