Despite high orphanhood
and HIV prevalence rates in
Southern Africa, no research has
focused on mental health among
orphaned children in Namibia.
This study examined the association
of orphan status and depressive
symptoms in children and
adolescents in Namibia. A backtranslated
Rukwangali and Silozi
version of the children’s depression
inventory (CDI) was administered
to 157 students (grades 1–
10) in three schools in Kavango
and Caprivi regions. Logistic
regression was used to assess the
relationship between type of
orphanhood (single and double)
and scores ‡ 19 on the CDI. Participants
(Mage = 14.9 year, SD =
3.1; 80 females, 77 males) included
84 non-orphans, 50 single
orphans, and 23 double orphans.
The mean total score on the CDI
for the whole sample was 13.2
(SD = 6.0, range = 2–33, median
= 12.0). Using the standard
cut-point of ‡19 on the CDI, 21.9%
of single and double orphans and
11.9% of non-orphans exhibited
depressive symptoms. Double orphans
were significantly more
likely to score ‡ 19 on the CDI
than non-orphans (odds ratio
[OR] = 3.23, 95% confidence
interval [CI] = 1.07–9.79,
P = 0.037). Single orphans were
also more likely to score at least 19
on the CDI, although this was
not significant (OR = 1.62, 95%
CI = 0.61–4.32, P = 0.331). The
study provides evidence that
orphanhood is associated with ill
mental health and that high rates
of psychological distress are present
in approximately 1 in 6 children
and adolescents in Namibia.
Mental health assessments are
needed to validate cut-points
locally and measure levels of
impairment among children and
adolescents, particularly orphans.
Given the small sample size and
limited power of the study, it is
important that future studies address
the issue of mental health
among orphans in Namibia to
inform the development of concrete
policies and services for this
population.