Abstract
Association between common mental disorders (CMDs), equity, poverty and socio-economic functioning are relatively well explored in high income countries, but there have been fewer studies in low and middle income countries, despite the considerable burden posed by mental disorders, especially in Africa, and their potential impact on development. This paper reports a population-based epidemiological survey of a rural area in Kenya. A random sample of 2% of all adults living in private households in Maseno, Kisumu District of Nyanza Province, Kenya (50,000 population), were studied. The Clinical Interview Schedule-Revised (CIS-R) was used to determine the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMDs). Associations with socio-demographic and economic characteristics were explored. A CMD prevalence of 10.8% was found, with no gender difference. Higher rates of illness were found in those who were of older age and those in poor physical health. We conclude that CMDs are common in Kenya and rates are elevated among people who are older, and those in poor health.
Highlights
There is growing appreciation of the importance of mental health and mental disorders for social and economic development in Africa [1] and in the West [2] and there have been a number of epidemiological studies of mental disorders in Sub-Saharan Africa [3]
The CIS-R was administered by community health workers, supervised by a public health nurse working in Chulaimbo rural health training centre in Maseno
The final weighting variable did adjust for patterns of non-response in terms of differential probabilities of selection within households, and adjusting the profile of the achieved sample to match that from Census
Summary
There is growing appreciation of the importance of mental health and mental disorders for social and economic development in Africa [1] and in the West [2] and there have been a number of epidemiological studies of mental disorders in Sub-Saharan Africa [3]. The overall collaborative programme of work included a detailed situation appraisal of context, needs, resources, provision and outcomes using the mental health country profile [13,14,15], a focus group study of sixty traditional healers in Maseno, exploring their views of mental illness, aetiology and treatment [16], a study of attitudes of primary care staff about mental illness [17]; previous surveys of primary care [18]; adaptation of the WHO primary care guidelines for Kenya, and development of mental health policy and strategy [19] This epidemiological survey is important to provide a baseline of mental health needs in the country
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