Predictors of Adolescent Mental Health Service Utilization in Port Harcourt, Rivers State

Chisanum King Wofuru-Nyenke1
1Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

International Journal of Health Systems Science and Technology (IJHSST)
Volume 1, Issue 1, Pages 76 - 124
Published: 2 June 2025

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Abstract

Adolescent mental health is a growing public health concern, particularly in low and middle-income countries where access to mental health services remains limited. In Nigeria, mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, mood changes, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are increasingly recognized among adolescents, yet utilization of available mental health services is suboptimal. This study was conducted to explore the frequency and predictors of mental health service utilization among senior secondary school students in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with a focus on identifying prevailing mental health problems, assessing awareness and use of available services including those routinely provided at the primary health care (PHC) level and examining the socio-demographic and other factors influencing service uptake. This research made use of a descriptive cross-sectional design. There was a total of 299 participants in this survey. Boys and girls enrolled in secondary schools in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, that were sanctioned by the government and had an age range of 11–19 years old made up the research population. We utilised a basic random sampling procedure to pick participants, and we gave each of them 299 copies of a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), with associations between categorical variables assessed using the chi-square test at a significance level of p < 0.05. The findings revealed that while a majority of respondents were aware of the existence of mental health services, only 43.5% reported having utilized such services, indicating a substantial gap between awareness and actual use. Counselling services were the most frequently accessed (27.8%), primarily for issues related to academic stress. Despite 52.5% of students strongly agreeing on the importance of mental health care for adolescents, barriers to utilization persisted. The most commonly cited obstacles included lack of awareness about available services (41.5%), insufficient parental support (22.1%), stigma (7.4%), financial constraints (6.4%), physical distance (3.3%), and a combination of these factors (15.1%). Socio-demographic analysis demonstrated that the educational attainment of fathers (p = 0.000) and the occupational status of mothers (p = 0.000) were significantly associated with students’ use of mental health services, while mothers’ education (p = 0.662) and fathers’ occupation (p = 0.873) were not statistically significant predictors. The study underscores a critical gap between awareness and utilization of mental health services among adolescents in Port Harcourt. Addressing barriers such as limited awareness, parental support, stigma, and accessibility especially at the primary health care level (PHC) will be essential to improving mental health outcomes for this population. Targeted interventions that consider parental education and occupation, as well as school-based mental health promotion, are recommended to enhance service uptake and support adolescent well-being.

Keywords:
Adolescents Mental Health Accessibility Mental Health Services Senior Secondary School Students
APA Referencing Format

Wofuru-Nyenke, C. K. (2025). Predictors of Adolescent Mental Health Service Utilization in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. International Journal of Health Systems Science and Technology (IJHSST), 1(1), 76-124.

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