{
  "abstract": "Introduction Common mental health outcomes among children in conflict with the law in correctional facilities in Africa are an under-researched area with significant public health implications. This review will synthesise available and accessible evidence on the prevalence and associated factors of common mental health outcomes among children in conflict with the law in Africa.Methods and analysis Comprehensive electronic searches will date from 01 January 2015 to 31 December 2025 and will be conducted in PubMed, Sabinet, Scopus, EBSCOhost, Web of Science and PsycINFO. Articles will be screened using defined inclusion and exclusion criteria and assessed for eligibility by three independent reviewers. Discrepancies will be reviewed by a ninth reviewer. The selection process of included articles will be reported by using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses will be used. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool will assess study quality, and data will be synthesised using meta-analysis or a narrative synthesis approach, depending on heterogeneity levels.Ethics and dissemination This study will not require ethical approval from an institutional review board, as it does not entail the direct collection of data from children in conflict with the law, nor does it pose any risk to their privacy. Once finalised, the full review report will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. The key findings will also be shared at both local and international conferences, highlighting common mental health outcomes among children in conflict with the law.PROSPERO registration number CRD420251011484.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Psychology, University of Limpopo, Mankweng, South Africa"
      ],
      "name": "Mpho Maotoana"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Limpopo, Mankweng, South Africa"
      ],
      "name": "Khomotjo Phalane"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Education Studies, University of Limpopo, Mankweng, South Africa"
      ],
      "name": "Simon M Ndlovu"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Library Services, University of Limpopo, Mankweng, South Africa"
      ],
      "name": "Mahlatse Rapau"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Emmanuel Nii-Boye Quarshie"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Nursing Science, University of Limpopo, Polokwane, South Africa"
      ],
      "name": "Tshepo A Ntho"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Education Studies, University of Limpopo, Polokwane, South Africa"
      ],
      "name": "Medwin D Sepadi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Psychology, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana"
      ],
      "name": "Kwaku Oppong Asante"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Psychology, University of Limpopo, Sovenga, South Africa"
      ],
      "name": "Tholene Sodi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Education Studies, University of Limpopo, Mankweng, South Africa"
      ],
      "name": "Mahlapahlapana J Themane"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Common mental health outcomes among children in conflict with the law in Africa: a systematic review protocol",
  "uid": "3df4c12e-a0a5-5815-a623-5c7e447981f7"
}