Parenthood and Mental Health Among University Populations in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Cross-Sectional study

Tuwani A. Rasengane; Ngozika Esther Ezinne; Antor Ndep; Nnamdi John Eseme; Susarah Maria Richter; Kingsley E. Agho; Ebele Gertrude Ejidike; Michael Agyemang Kwarteng; Kelechukwu Enyinnaya Ahaiwe; Nnaemeka Meribe; Obed Adonteng-Kissi; Edith Daniel-Nwosu; Osamudiamen McHillary Ogiemudia; Ike Onyebuchi Oforbuike; Grace Obumneke Ogbonna; Isaura Ilorena d.Alva Brito Dos Santos; Okechi Ulumma Amaechi; Ugochukwu E. Uzuegbu; Khathutshelo Percy Mashige; Uchechukwu Levi Osuagwu

doi:10.1002/hsr2.72504

Parenthood and Mental Health Among University Populations in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Cross-Sectional study

Tuwani A. Rasengane, Ngozika Esther Ezinne, Antor Ndep, Nnamdi John Eseme, Susarah Maria Richter, Kingsley E. Agho, Ebele Gertrude Ejidike, Michael Agyemang Kwarteng, Kelechukwu Enyinnaya Ahaiwe, Nnaemeka Meribe, Obed Adonteng-Kissi, Edith Daniel-Nwosu, Osamudiamen McHillary Ogiemudia, Ike Onyebuchi Oforbuike, Grace Obumneke Ogbonna, Isaura Ilorena d.Alva Brito Dos Santos, Okechi Ulumma Amaechi, Ugochukwu E. Uzuegbu, Khathutshelo Percy Mashige, Uchechukwu Levi Osuagwu

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Background and Aims: This study examined the association between parenthood status and psychological well-being among university staff and students in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted across 22 universities in four SSA countries using convenience sampling. A total of 1189 university staff and students, including parents and non-parents, participated. Mental health outcomes were assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21). Multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine associations between parenthood status and mental health outcomes after adjusting for sociodemographic and contextual factors.

Results: Participants with children had lower odds of moderate depression (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.55; 95% CI 0.40–0.75) and severe anxiety (AOR = 0.65; 95% CI 0.50–0.86) compared with participants without children. Higher odds of severe mental health outcomes were observed among females and respondents from Malawi and Mozambique. Marital stability was associated with lower odds of severe depression and anxiety.

Conclusions: Parenthood status was associated with lower odds of depression and anxiety among university staff and students in SSA. These findings highlight important sociodemographic and contextual differences in mental health within university populations and underscore the need for targeted, culturally responsive mental health interventions.

Original language	English
Article number	e72504
Number of pages	10
Journal	Health Science Reports
Volume	9
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.72504
Publication status	Published - 1 May 2026
Externally published	Yes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

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Rasengane, T. A., Ezinne, N. E., Ndep, A., Eseme, N. J., Richter, S. M., Agho, K. E., Ejidike, E. G., Kwarteng, M. A., Ahaiwe, K. E., Meribe, N., Adonteng-Kissi, O., Daniel-Nwosu, E., McHillary Ogiemudia, O., Oforbuike, I. O., Ogbonna, G. O., Dos Santos, I. I. D. A. B., Amaechi, O. U., Uzuegbu, U. E., Mashige, K. P., & Osuagwu, U. L. (2026). Parenthood and Mental Health Among University Populations in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Cross-Sectional study. Health Science Reports, 9(5), Article e72504. https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.72504

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title = "Parenthood and Mental Health Among University Populations in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Cross-Sectional study",

abstract = "Background and Aims: This study examined the association between parenthood status and psychological well-being among university staff and students in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted across 22 universities in four SSA countries using convenience sampling. A total of 1189 university staff and students, including parents and non-parents, participated. Mental health outcomes were assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21). Multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine associations between parenthood status and mental health outcomes after adjusting for sociodemographic and contextual factors. Results: Participants with children had lower odds of moderate depression (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.55; 95\% CI 0.40–0.75) and severe anxiety (AOR = 0.65; 95\% CI 0.50–0.86) compared with participants without children. Higher odds of severe mental health outcomes were observed among females and respondents from Malawi and Mozambique. Marital stability was associated with lower odds of severe depression and anxiety. Conclusions: Parenthood status was associated with lower odds of depression and anxiety among university staff and students in SSA. These findings highlight important sociodemographic and contextual differences in mental health within university populations and underscore the need for targeted, culturally responsive mental health interventions.",

keywords = "mental health, parenthood, psychological well-being, sub-Saharan Africa, university population",

author = "Rasengane, \{Tuwani A.\} and Ezinne, \{Ngozika Esther\} and Antor Ndep and Eseme, \{Nnamdi John\} and Richter, \{Susarah Maria\} and Agho, \{Kingsley E.\} and Ejidike, \{Ebele Gertrude\} and Kwarteng, \{Michael Agyemang\} and Ahaiwe, \{Kelechukwu Enyinnaya\} and Nnaemeka Meribe and Obed Adonteng-Kissi and Edith Daniel-Nwosu and \{McHillary Ogiemudia\}, Osamudiamen and Oforbuike, \{Ike Onyebuchi\} and Ogbonna, \{Grace Obumneke\} and \{Dos Santos\}, \{Isaura Ilorena d.Alva Brito\} and Amaechi, \{Okechi Ulumma\} and Uzuegbu, \{Ugochukwu E.\} and Mashige, \{Khathutshelo Percy\} and Osuagwu, \{Uchechukwu Levi\}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2026 The Author(s). Health Science Reports published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.",

year = "2026",

month = may,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1002/hsr2.72504",

language = "English",

volume = "9",

journal = "Health Science Reports",

issn = "2398-8835",

publisher = "John Wiley \& Sons Inc. ",

number = "5",

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Rasengane, TA, Ezinne, NE, Ndep, A, Eseme, NJ, Richter, SM, Agho, KE, Ejidike, EG, Kwarteng, MA, Ahaiwe, KE, Meribe, N, Adonteng-Kissi, O, Daniel-Nwosu, E, McHillary Ogiemudia, O, Oforbuike, IO, Ogbonna, GO, Dos Santos, IIDAB, Amaechi, OU, Uzuegbu, UE, Mashige, KP & Osuagwu, UL 2026, 'Parenthood and Mental Health Among University Populations in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Cross-Sectional study', Health Science Reports, vol. 9, no. 5, e72504. https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.72504

TY - JOUR

T1 - Parenthood and Mental Health Among University Populations in Sub-Saharan Africa

T2 - A Cross-Sectional study

AU - Rasengane, Tuwani A.

AU - Ezinne, Ngozika Esther

AU - Ndep, Antor

AU - Eseme, Nnamdi John

AU - Richter, Susarah Maria

AU - Agho, Kingsley E.

AU - Ejidike, Ebele Gertrude

AU - Kwarteng, Michael Agyemang

AU - Ahaiwe, Kelechukwu Enyinnaya

AU - Meribe, Nnaemeka

AU - Adonteng-Kissi, Obed

AU - Daniel-Nwosu, Edith

AU - McHillary Ogiemudia, Osamudiamen

AU - Oforbuike, Ike Onyebuchi

AU - Ogbonna, Grace Obumneke

AU - Dos Santos, Isaura Ilorena d.Alva Brito

AU - Amaechi, Okechi Ulumma

AU - Uzuegbu, Ugochukwu E.

AU - Mashige, Khathutshelo Percy

AU - Osuagwu, Uchechukwu Levi

PY - 2026/5/1

Y1 - 2026/5/1

N2 - Background and Aims: This study examined the association between parenthood status and psychological well-being among university staff and students in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted across 22 universities in four SSA countries using convenience sampling. A total of 1189 university staff and students, including parents and non-parents, participated. Mental health outcomes were assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21). Multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine associations between parenthood status and mental health outcomes after adjusting for sociodemographic and contextual factors. Results: Participants with children had lower odds of moderate depression (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.55; 95% CI 0.40–0.75) and severe anxiety (AOR = 0.65; 95% CI 0.50–0.86) compared with participants without children. Higher odds of severe mental health outcomes were observed among females and respondents from Malawi and Mozambique. Marital stability was associated with lower odds of severe depression and anxiety. Conclusions: Parenthood status was associated with lower odds of depression and anxiety among university staff and students in SSA. These findings highlight important sociodemographic and contextual differences in mental health within university populations and underscore the need for targeted, culturally responsive mental health interventions.

AB - Background and Aims: This study examined the association between parenthood status and psychological well-being among university staff and students in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted across 22 universities in four SSA countries using convenience sampling. A total of 1189 university staff and students, including parents and non-parents, participated. Mental health outcomes were assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21). Multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine associations between parenthood status and mental health outcomes after adjusting for sociodemographic and contextual factors. Results: Participants with children had lower odds of moderate depression (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.55; 95% CI 0.40–0.75) and severe anxiety (AOR = 0.65; 95% CI 0.50–0.86) compared with participants without children. Higher odds of severe mental health outcomes were observed among females and respondents from Malawi and Mozambique. Marital stability was associated with lower odds of severe depression and anxiety. Conclusions: Parenthood status was associated with lower odds of depression and anxiety among university staff and students in SSA. These findings highlight important sociodemographic and contextual differences in mental health within university populations and underscore the need for targeted, culturally responsive mental health interventions.

KW - mental health

KW - parenthood

KW - psychological well-being

KW - sub-Saharan Africa

KW - university population

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105038120356

U2 - 10.1002/hsr2.72504

DO - 10.1002/hsr2.72504

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:105038120356

SN - 2398-8835

VL - 9

JO - Health Science Reports

JF - Health Science Reports

IS - 5

M1 - e72504

ER -

Parenthood and Mental Health Among University Populations in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Cross-Sectional study

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