Despite the growing global burden of mental health conditions, nationally representative data in low- and middle-income countries remain limited. Using data from the 2024 Uganda National Population and Housing Census, this study examined the prevalence and distribution of probable mental health conditions among persons aged 10 years and older in Uganda, while assessing variations by sex, place of residence and sub-region. We conducted a descriptive secondary analysis of publicly available census tabulations (2024 Volume I, Section 6.5). The analytic population comprised 31,389,721 individuals aged 10 years and older. Mental health outcomes were based on self-reported symptoms synthesised by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics into six indicators of probable mental health conditions, such as general psychological distress, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, psychosis and suicidality, rather than clinical diagnoses. Among persons aged 10 years and older, 3,773,915 (12.0%) reported probable general psychological distress. Probable depressive condition affected 2,444,272 (7.8%), followed by probable bipolar condition 1,262,088 (4.0%) and probable anxiety condition 1,201,182 (3.8%). Higher prevalence was observed among females and rural residents. Substantial sub-regional variation was observed across all outcomes, with the prevalence of general psychological distress ranging from ~8% in Madi, Sebei and Ankole to over 16% in Teso. The 2024 census suggests a substantial and uneven distribution of probable mental health conditions in Uganda and underscores the need for geographically targeted, equity-oriented mental health strategies, as well as stronger integration of mental health into primary healthcare systems.

Empirical evidence suggests that close to 100 million women are “missing” worldwide. We revisit the empirical evidence for China, the country with the most missing women. Nearly ten million girls born in the 1980s and 1990s who were “missing” according to earlier census data can be found again in the 2010 population census. We discuss two possible explanations for the re-emergence of these formerly missing girls: the delayed registration of girls owing to economic reasons, and the response to amendments to the Chinese Statistics Law in 2009 and policy changes in the 2010 population census. Using the most recent statistics, we document patterns of the underreporting of women over time and across regions as well as explore the basic determinants of underreporting of women. Important policy challenges remain. For the unregistered children, the lack of access to public services will increase their vulnerability and adversely affect their quality of life.

Thornicroft's giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis thornicrofti is limited in distribution to a single population resident in the Luangwa Valley, Zambia. During 1973−2003 regular counts were recorded along the Luangwa River in the core section of the subspecies’ range. In 2013 we conducted a count in the same region for comparison with the earlier survey results. During the 30-year period 1973−2003 the giraffe index (no. of individuals per km surveyed) was relatively stable, with an increase in 1994 and 1995 coinciding with an influx of giraffes to the west bank following an exceptionally reduced flow of the Luangwa River. The mean giraffe index during this period was 0.51 km−1, whereas the 2013 count yielded an index of 0.44 km−1. Given the limited range of the Thornicroft's giraffe, we estimate that the population comprises c. 500–600 individuals.

Seventeen protected areas in south-east Thailand were surveyed for the Endangered pileated gibbon Hylobates pileatus during April 2004–March 2005, with the objectives of establishing the species’ current distribution, obtaining approximate population estimates for the largest forest areas, and assessing threats to the species’ survival. Landsat images and a geographical information system were used to identify the remaining suitable habitat within the species’ range. We conducted auditory surveys to census the gibbon populations in the five largest protected areas of Khao Yai, Pang Sida, and Tab Lan National Parks, and Khao Soi Dao and Khao Ang Ru Nai Wildlife Sanctuaries. Small protected areas within the range of the pileated gibbon (five parks and seven sanctuaries) were also evaluated, using questionnaires and interviews with local staff and villagers. Approximately 3,800 km2 of suitable canopy forest with an estimated 3,000 breeding groups, containing c. 12,000 individuals, remain within the four largest areas of forest. Pileated gibbons are also still present in 10 of the smaller protected areas. The largest populations of pileated gibbon in Thailand should be viable over the long-term provided that hunting, habitat degradation and further fragmentation are controlled. Hunting is now the most significant problem, and gibbon densities are well below the carrying capacity of the habitat and declining. As patrolling is not sufficiently effective to control poaching, the cooperation and support of local villagers must be sought in future conservation efforts.

Mountain gorillas Gorilla beringei beringei are Critically Endangered, with just two small populations: in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in south-western Uganda and the nearby Virunga Volcanoes on the borders with Rwanda and Uganda. A survey of the Bwindi population was carried out in 2002 and results were compared with the previous census in 1997. Our estimate of total population size increased over that period by c. 7% to 320 individuals and the structure and distribution of the population were largely unchanged. Signs of human disturbance were more common in 2002 than 1997, and gorillas tended to be found in areas of relative low disturbance. This suggested that disturbance could be a constraint on population growth and distribution but demographic stochasticity may also be responsible for the observed level of population change over a short time period. Other potential limiting factors, including habitat availability and disease, are discussed. While conservation activities in Bwindi have probably contributed to the stability of the population, strengthening of law enforcement and continued vigilance are needed to ensure the population's long-term growth and survival.

The Rodrigues fruit bat Pteropus rodricensis is endemic to Rodrigues Island, the smallest of the Mascarene Islands in the Indian Ocean. The species is categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. A study between February 2001 and February 2002 identified 10 roosts, four previously unrecorded. Roost sites were located in the north and south of the island, all within forested valleys. Sixteen counts of each roost site, evenly spaced throughout the study period, showed dramatic changes in individual colony numbers, suggesting movement between roosts. Simultaneous counts of all colonies resulted in a minimum population estimate of 5,076, which is substantially higher than previous estimates of the species. This is believed to be due to a population increase since the last count, newly identified roosts and the movement of bats into different areas, allowing more accurate counts to be made.

The population of the Mayotte brown lemur Eulemur fulvus fulvus on the island of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean was reported to have decreased by 50% between 1975 and 1987, from 50,000 to 25,000. From a series of censuses carried out in 1999 and 2000 in the various vegetation types of the island, we estimate that the lemur population now numbers 42,000–72,000. The decline observed in 1987 may have been largely caused by the cyclone that devastated Mayotte in 1984. That the population has recovered must not obscure the fact that loss of forest, increased human pressure associated with further development of infrastructure, and changes in agricultural practices will undoubtedly continue to affect this species on Mayotte.