Systematic Review and Meta-analysis: Depressive Symptoms and Risky Behaviors Among Adolescents in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Abstract

Objective: Several studies conducted in high-income countries have found an association between depressive symptoms and risky behaviors among adolescents. Evidence from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where 90% of the world's adolescents live, remains scarce. This meta-analysis systematically reviewed evidence examining the association between depressive symptoms and risky behaviors among adolescents in LMICs.

Method: Fifteen electronic databases were searched for published or unpublished cohort and case-control studies about adolescents in LMICs. The primary outcome was the association (odds ratio [OR]) between depressive symptoms and risky sexual behavior and substance use. Secondary outcomes included delinquency, adverse school behavior, self-harm, and suicidal behavior. ORs from all studies were pooled using the random-effects model. Quality of studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale, and strength of the overall body of evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation.

Results: Searches yielded 31,148 potentially relevant studies. After screening, 33 studies were included in the systematic review, of which 30 comprised the meta-analysis. Studies encompassed 35,918 adolescents living in 17 LMICs: 5 from Africa, 7 from Asia, and 5 from Latin America and the Caribbean. Adolescents with depressive symptoms were more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior (OR 1.3 95% CI 1.1-1.5) and substance use (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.4-2.2) compared with nondepressed adolescents. Results for secondary outcomes showed a similar pattern, with higher delinquency (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.8-5.6), self-harm (OR 4.4, 95% CI 1.3-14.4), and suicidal behavior (OR 6.6, 95% CI 2.3-18.9) among adolescents with depression compared with healthy adolescents.

Conclusion: This study suggests that adolescents with depression in LMICs carry a double burden: depression and increased risk of engaging in risky behaviors. This combination may lead to further psychological and physical health problems that persist over the life course and may impose a health burden on society as a whole. Taken together, these findings highlight the urgent need for scalable and sustainable approaches to prevent and/or treat depression among adolescents in resource-poor settings.

Keywords: adolescents; depressive symptoms; low- and middle-income countries; risky behaviors.