Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Low depression literacy is a strong barrier to the identification and treatment of depression. In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries, despite increasing implementation of depression literacy interventions, there is no evaluation of the current available depression literacy data. This research aims to systematically map the available studies and measurement approaches used to assess depression literacy components in the MENA region.
METHODS: We conducted a scoping review of the literature. We systematically searched PubMed, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, and the reference list of included studies and relevant reviews. We included quantitative studies published up to May 2024 that assessed depression literacy in MENA countries. Analysis of the identified literature was guided by the conceptual framework of mental health literacy.
RESULTS: We included 69 studies reporting knowledge (39 studies), stigma/attitude (38 studies), and help-seeking (8 studies). Knowledge studies mainly investigated participants’ ability to identify depression and their factual knowledge of depression such as etiology, symptoms, and treatment options. Stigma/attitude studies examined stigma towards depression or individuals with depression, self-stigma, experienced stigma, and stigma against depression treatment and help-seeking. Help-seeking studies assessed attitudes and intentions toward seeking help. Of the included studies, 43% used non-validated tools and 14% used vignette-based approaches for assessing depression literacy. Most of the studies using a validated tool for assessing depression literacy (n=30) were conducted between 2015-2019 (57%), in youth populations (37%), adult populations with psychiatric disorders (20%), and non-psychiatric medical practitioners (13%).
CONCLUSIONS: Our scoping review highlights the sparse data available, in MENA countries, on the help-seeking component of depression literacy, using validated tools for assessing depression literacy, and in the general population. Our findings provide a foundation for developing culturally appropriate assessment of depression literacy components and interventions in the region.