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Child psychiatry in Africa

Edited by Olayinka Omigbodun

There is a significant lack of research into child and adolescent mental health in low-GDP nations, especially when compared to that in the developed world. In particular, Africa represents unique challenges and opportunities, with a very young population, many of whom live in exceptionally difficult circumstances. To address this lack of research, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation approved a grant for “Building Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMH) capacity in Africa”, to create a cadre of professional researchers in the region. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health is delighted to publish the first fruits of their research in this thematic series on ‘Child psychiatry in Africa’.

  1. Stigmatizing attitudes and discriminatory behaviour towards persons with mental illness are known to start in childhood. In Nigeria, it is not unusual to see children taunting persons with mental illness. This...

    Authors: Adeola Oluwafunmilayo Oduguwa, Babatunde Adedokun and Olayinka Olusola Omigbodun
    Citation: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health 2017 11:19
  2. There are indications that teachers have limited knowledge about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), despite its high prevalence in childhood and its long-term effects on students such as academic...

    Authors: Dupe Lasisi, Cornelius Ani, Victor Lasebikan, Lateef Sheikh and Olayinka Omigbodun
    Citation: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health 2017 11:15
  3. Aggressive patterns of behavior often start early in childhood, and tend to remain stable into adulthood. The negative consequences include poor academic performance, disciplinary problems and encounters with ...

    Authors: Jibril Abdulmalik, Cornelius Ani, Ademola J. Ajuwon and Olayinka Omigbodun
    Citation: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health 2016 10:31
  4. Children with recognized, diagnosable mental and neurological disorders are in addition prone to emotional and behavioral problems which transcend their specific diagnostic labels. In accessing care, these chi...

    Authors: Adeniran O. Okewole, Abiodun O. Adewuya, Ademola J. Ajuwon, Tolulope T. Bella-Awusah and Olayinka O. Omigbodun
    Citation: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health 2016 10:30
  5. Studies have demonstrated that social skill interventions and classroom supports are effective for pupils with intellectual disability. Such interventions have been demonstrated to reduce the risk of developin...

    Authors: Yetunde C. Adeniyi and Olayinka O. Omigbodun
    Citation: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health 2016 10:29
  6. Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is a disabling and lifelong neuro-developmental disorder. Challenging behaviours such as aggression and self injury are common maladaptive behaviours in ASD which adversely affe...

    Authors: Mashudat Bello-Mojeed, Cornelius Ani, Ike Lagunju and Olayinka Omigbodun
    Citation: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health 2016 10:28