Mozambique: One in 10 teens suffered of depression due to Covid

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Mozambique: One in 10 teens suffered of depression due to Covid

11:44 CAT | 25 Mar 2022

Photo: O País

One in 10 teenagers has suffered from depression or anxiety due to the social and economic effects of Covid-19, especially school closures. So reports a study covering 160 schools, 1,300 students and 350 educators in three districts of Nampula province.

The study, presented in Maputo on Thursday, was developed by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) as part of the evaluation of the “Juntos Educando Crianças” project, which aims to improve the quality of education, and is being implemented by World Vision-Mozambique.

The research indicates that, with the suspension of face-to-face classes because of Covid-19, students were more vulnerable to various risks, including premature unions, early pregnancy, child labour, and physical and sexual violence.

“In fact, the data show that a relatively high percentage – at least 10% of children – are suffering, in some way, from problems of anxiety and depression,” concluded Carlos Lauchande, a researcher who participated in the study.

The World Vision survey data were collected in the districts of Muecate and Nacaroa, where 160 schools were reached, and of Murrupula, where another 15 schools were sampled.

Arlinda Chaquisse, national director of School Nutrition and Health at the Ministry of Education and Human Development (MINEDH), says that the problem has not only affected schools in those three districts of Nampula province, but the whole country.

Chaquisse said actions are already underway to reverse the situation, citing “strategies linked to the implementation of school lunch, psychosocial support and distribution of Covid-19 prevention material”.

The research recommends the use of distance teaching and learning via television, radio and other information and communication technologies as strategies to mitigate the negative effects on the mental health of students when face-to-face classes are interrupted.

By Amandio Borges

Source: O País