RESUMO
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of mental illness among adolescents treated at Federal Neurospsychiatric Hospital, Enugu Nigeria. METHODS: A retrospective descriptive design was used to assess 1255 adolescents within the age of 15-18 years diagnosed with mental illness from 2004 to 2013. A proforma designed by the researchers was used to document information on prevalence, type, and relationship with age and gender. RESULTS: The prevalence of mental illness within the 10 year period was 9.9%. Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders 869 (69.2%) were the commonest conditions recorded. Higher prevalence of mental illness was seen among males 752 (59.9%) compared to females 503 (40.1%). Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders 384 (76.3%); depressive disorders 20 (4.0%) were more common among female adolescents while substance-related and addictive disorders 84(11.2%) and neurodevelopmental disorders 48(6.8%) were more common among male adolescents. The prevalence of mental illness increased with age, being highest at 18 years and lowest at 15 years while prevalence of drug induced psychosis was 90 (7.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the need to focus on the mental health of adolescents by planning preventive programs and creating awareness on mental health promoting strategies, and to introduce child and adolescent psychiatric health services in the study setting.