Background
Adolescent mental health is a growing concern in low- and middle-income countries, but there is limited reliable data in Kenya. Understanding the prevalence of depression and anxiety, as well as related risk and protective factors, is essential for informing interventions and policies.
Methods
In 2023, data was collected from 17,089 adolescents across 63 public secondary schools in four counties in Kenya. Students completed paper questionnaires reporting depression and anxiety symptoms, along with 12 other psychosocial measures including adverse childhood experiences, digital stress, family and school stressors, and help-seeking behaviors. Detailed socio-demographic information was also collected.
Results
The dataset provides one of the largest and most representative samples of Kenyan adolescents’ mental health. It captures the prevalence of depression and anxiety, identifies potential risk and protective factors, and includes information on psychosocial challenges and help-seeking behaviors. The data also allow for validation of widely used mental health instruments in Sub-Saharan African contexts.
Implications
This dataset fills a critical gap in evidence on adolescent mental health in Kenya. It offers valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to design targeted interventions, prevention strategies, and policies that improve mental health outcomes among adolescents.
