ERIC Number: EJ1335038
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022-Jun
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4391
EISSN: N/A
Urban-Rural Differences in Depression Literacy among High School Teachers in the Kingdom of Eswatini
Ngwenya, Thabo Zwelethu; Huang, Nicole; Wang, I-An; Chen, Chuan-Yu
Journal of School Health, v92 n6 p561-569 Jun 2022
Background: Concerns have been raised over teachers' mental health literacy in low-income countries and lower- and middle-income countries wherein pediatric mental health resources are limited. This study aims to investigate adolescent depression literacy among teachers in Eswatini and to explore the role of urbanicity. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in 59 public high schools in Eswatini in 2019-2020. Data were collected by a paper-and-pencil questionnaire; depression literacy was assessed by the 17-item Adolescent Depression Knowledge Questionnaire. Results: Teachers' adolescent depression literacy item-level correct rates fell between 27 and 80%. Although the multivariate response models indicated that teaching in urban areas was slightly associated with having higher depression literacy in general (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.46; 95% confidence interval = 1.00-2.12), such urban-rural differences did not manifest homogeneously across all items: urban teaching was significantly linked with reduced correct responses toward certain items concerning depression etiology and treatment, including "depression runs in some families," "major stress as a necessary cause," and "a curable illness" (aOR = 0.57 [approximately] 0.68). Conclusion: Urban-rural differences in teachers' depression literacy were manifested at both scale- and item-levels. A critical need exists for urban/rural areas-tailored intervention on teachers' literacy toward mental disorders in the resource-limited regions to better improve health and developmental outcomes of students.
Descriptors: Rural Urban Differences, Depression (Psychology), Knowledge Level, Etiology, Mental Health, Health Services, Case Studies, High School Teachers, Measures (Individuals), Item Analysis, Stress Variables, Intervention, Faculty Development, Mental Disorders, Health Promotion, Adolescent Development, Foreign Countries
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Eswatini
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A