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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Discover Mental Health

Prevalence and factors associated with depression and suicidality among children and adolescents with sickle cell anaemia in eastern Uganda

  • Dedan Okello1
  • Lisa Rynn1,2
  • Milton W. Musaba1,3
  • Sarah Kiguli4
  • David Mukunya5
  • Joseph Kirabira6
6 affiliations
  1. 1Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Busitema University, P. O Box 1460, Mbale City, Uganda
  2. 2SEED Global Health Uganda, Kampala City, Uganda
  3. 3Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Busitema University, P.O. Box 1460, Mbale City, Uganda
  4. 4Department Of Paediatrics and Child Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, P.O Box 7072, Kampala City, Uganda
  5. 5Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Community and Public Health, Busitema University, P. O Box 1460, Mbale City, Uganda
  6. 6Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Psychiatry, Busitema University, P. O Box 1460, Mbale City, Uganda
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Abstract

Introduction/background: Depression and suicidality are prevalent among individuals with chronic illnesses. Data on their prevalence in children and adolescents with sickle cell anaemia in Uganda are limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of depression and suicidality among children with Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA) in Eastern Uganda.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among children with SCA between 9 and 17 years, at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital between 01/02/2024 and 05/06/2024. Depression and suicidality were measured using the MINI KID. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and entered into Kobo Toolbox for electronic data management. Analysis was performed using Stata 17. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were done to examine factors associated with depression and suicidality. Statistical significance was assessed at α = 0.05.

Results: 421 participants were enrolled; the prevalence of depression was 31.8% (95% CI 27.4%–36.5%), while suicidality was 19.0% (95% CI 15.4–23.1%). The Factors associated with depression were parents' or guardians' employment. (aPR) 1.89, 95% CI 1.268–2.820, P value = 0.002). Household income over 150,000 Uganda Shillings monthly [aPR 0.56, 95% CI (0.327–0.97), P value = 0.039]. Parents' involvement in business [aPR 1.65, 95% CI (1.010–2.694), P value = 0.046]. 5–10 admissions [aPR 2.37, 95% CI (1.434–3.929), P value < 0.001]. For suicidality, being aged 13–17 years (aPR: 1.39 (95% CI 1.012–3.331) and a P = 0.012). Medication side effects (aPR: 1.49 (95% CI 1.017–3.024; p = 0.038).

Conclusion: Children and adolescents living with SCA who had formally employed parents or guardians were significantly associated with depression. Older children and adolescents had a higher risk of suicidality. Findings highlight the magnitude of mental health challenges and underline the need for integrated mental health screening within chronic disease management.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{okello2026prevalence,
  title = {{Prevalence and factors associated with depression and suicidality among children and adolescents with sickle cell anaemia in eastern Uganda}},
  author = {Dedan Okello and Lisa Rynn and Milton W. Musaba and Sarah Kiguli and David Mukunya and Joseph Kirabira},
  journal = {Discover Mental Health},
  year = {2026},
  month = aug,
  doi = {10.1007/s44192-026-00570-w},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-026-00570-w},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Prevalence and factors associated with depression and suicidality among children and adolescents with sickle cell anaemia in eastern Uganda
AU  - Dedan Okello
AU  - Lisa Rynn
AU  - Milton W. Musaba
AU  - Sarah Kiguli
AU  - David Mukunya
AU  - Joseph Kirabira
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/08/09
JO  - Discover Mental Health
DO  - 10.1007/s44192-026-00570-w
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-026-00570-w
AB  - Introduction/background: Depression and suicidality are prevalent among individuals with chronic illnesses. Data on their prevalence in children and adolescents with sickle cell anaemia in Uganda are limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of depression and suicidality among children with Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA) in Eastern Uganda.  Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among children with SCA between 9 and 17 years, at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital between 01/02/2024 and 05/06/2024. Depression and suicidality were measured using the MINI KID. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and entered into Kobo Toolbox for electronic data management. Analysis was performed using Stata 17. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were done to examine factors associated with depression and suicidality. Statistical significance was assessed at α = 0.05.  Results: 421 participants were enrolled; the prevalence of depression was 31.8% (95% CI 27.4%–36.5%), while suicidality was 19.0% (95% CI 15.4–23.1%). The Factors associated with depression were parents' or guardians' employment. (aPR) 1.89, 95% CI 1.268–2.820, P value = 0.002). Household income over 150,000 Uganda Shillings monthly [aPR 0.56, 95% CI (0.327–0.97), P value = 0.039]. Parents' involvement in business [aPR 1.65, 95% CI (1.010–2.694), P value = 0.046]. 5–10 admissions [aPR 2.37, 95% CI (1.434–3.929), P value < 0.001]. For suicidality, being aged 13–17 years (aPR: 1.39 (95% CI 1.012–3.331) and a P = 0.012). Medication side effects (aPR: 1.49 (95% CI 1.017–3.024; p = 0.038).  Conclusion: Children and adolescents living with SCA who had formally employed parents or guardians were significantly associated with depression. Older children and adolescents had a higher risk of suicidality. Findings highlight the magnitude of mental health challenges and underline the need for integrated mental health screening within chronic disease management.
SN  - 2731-4383
ER  -