Abstract
Burden of mental disorders and unmet needs among street homeless people in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Highlights
The impact of mental disorders among homeless people is likely to be substantial in low income countries because of underdeveloped social welfare and health systems
Our study demonstrates the high burden of mental disorder and unmet health and social care needs of the street homeless in Ethiopia
This is the first study in Africa, or any other low income country, attempting to determine the prevalence of mental disorders among street homeless people, or to estimate the unmet needs of street homeless people with psychosis
Summary
The impact of mental disorders among homeless people is likely to be substantial in low income countries because of underdeveloped social welfare and health systems. As a first step towards advocacy and provision of care, we conducted a study to determine the burden of psychotic disorders and associated unmet needs, as well as the prevalence of mental distress, suicidality, and alcohol use disorder among homeless people in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. More historical description of homeless people may be tracked in legislative documents from the UK dating back to the late 13th century [2]. Some link the onset of homelessness as a problem in Africa with the disruption of the kinship networks and loss of land ownership during colonialism: ‘As Europeans built their estates, expanded their market places, and planned their public squares, indigenous communities were left homeless and were pushed into the peripheries of urban and commercial life’ [6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
