Analysis and Visualisation of Mental Health Data in South Sudan: Exploratory Data Analysis

Abstract

This study presents an exploratory data analysis and visualisation of mental health data in South Sudan, a total of 72,414 reported cases collected between 2020 and 2022 from the National Ministry of Health via the DHIS 2. The Demographic Health Information System 2 (DHIS 2) is a data collection tool that collects data from the health facilities across the country. The mental health statistical analysis covers data for acute stress, depression, psychosis, grief, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance and drug abuse, suicide attempts, other mental health conditions and other significant mental health complaints. The study identifies trends in mental health data needed by the health providers. The detailed data analysis will facilitate data-driven interventions, planning, and monitoring of the mental health programme. The diagnosis of mental health cases was classified using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The exploratory data analysis (EDA) conducted using R statistical software (R Markdown) provides good visualisations and tabulations of the mental health data. Substance & drugs abuse, post-traumatic stress disorders, suicide attempts, grief, depression and acute stress are the common mental problems in South Sudan. The data show that the acute mental health cases are increasing at a rate of 41 per cent annually. The findings are useful for re-programming mental health interventions and increasing public awareness about mental health.