Exploring mental health challenges and interventions for healthcare professionals in Africa; A scoping Review

Background Mental health challenges among healthcare professionals have become a global public health concern, with Africa facing unique stressors such as under-resourced health systems, high patient-to-provider ratios, recurrent infectious disease outbreaks, and workplace violence. These pressures contribute to high rates of burnout, anxiety, depression, and trauma, which compromise personal wellbeing, patient outcomes, and workforce retention. Despite emerging interventions, including peer support, counseling, and digital platforms, their scope and effectiveness remain underexplored in African contexts. Methods We conducted a scoping review following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) framework and reported according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A systematic search of SCOPUS, Web of Science, and PubMed identified studies published between 2000 and 2025. Eligible studies included peer-reviewed articles addressing mental health challenges or interventions among healthcare professionals in Africa. Data extraction captured study characteristics, cadres involved, mental health outcomes, interventions, and implementation barriers. Quantitative findings were summarized descriptively, while qualitative data were synthesized thematically. Results From 6,567 records, 119 studies met inclusion criteria, spanning 20 African countries. Most were cross-sectional (n = 105), with South Africa contributing the largest number (n = 19). Burnout was the most frequently reported challenge, with prevalence ranging from 20% in Ghana to 95% among South African medical interns. Anxiety rates peaked during the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching 90.5% in Egypt and 59.9% in Kenya. Depression prevalence ranged from 13.6% in Ethiopia to 94% of Egyptian healthcare workers. Nurses and midwives consistently reported higher burdens than physicians. Stress, PTSD, compassion fatigue, and workplace violence were recurrently reported particularly in conflict-affected or pandemic settings. Structural drivers included excessive workloads, poor remuneration, stigma, and inadequate protective equipment. Interventions such as psychosocial support groups, stress management workshops, and digital mental health platforms showed promise but lacked rigorous evaluation. Conclusions Healthcare professionals in Africa face substantial mental health challenges, exacerbated by systemic resource constraints and pandemic-related stressors. While innovative interventions exist, evidence on their effectiveness and sustainability remains limited. Strengthening culturally appropriate support systems and occupational health policies is essential to protect workforce wellbeing, enhance resilience, and improve health system performance across the continent. Clinical trial number: Not applicable