Qualitative study of mental health attribution, perceptions and care-seeking in Kampala, Uganda.
Uganda
care-seeking
mental health attribution
mental health disorders
mental health services
Journal
The South African journal of psychiatry : SAJP : the journal of the Society of Psychiatrists of South Africa
ISSN: 1608-9685
Titre abrégé: S Afr J Psychiatr
Pays: South Africa
ID NLM: 100958626
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
2022
2022
Historique:
received:
29
01
2021
accepted:
07
02
2022
entrez:
24
6
2022
pubmed:
25
6
2022
medline:
25
6
2022
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Mental health problems contribute to a substantial proportion of the global burden of disease. In Uganda, the World Health Organization estimates that 2.2 million people are affected by mental health disorders. Further research is needed to highlight people's views about mental health in order to ensure that services are appropriate, accessible and effective. This qualitative study aimed to explore perceptions, experiences and care-seeking preferences to inform stakeholders looking to provide contextually appropriate mental health programmes. A diverse neighbourhood in central Kampala, Uganda. The authors conducted 56 in-depth semi-structured interviews with people over the age of 37 years from November 2018 to May 2019. Participants discussed interpersonal and systemic issues that affect mental health in their community and the existing coping mechanisms that people employ. Social factors were often associated with mental health problems, with 36% of participants attributing them to economic stressors in particular. Mental health services were often perceived to be unavailable, costly or stigmatised, which can mean that care-seeking is delayed until problems become severe. Some people said they prefer to turn to prayer (25%) or counselling within their family or community (12.5%). Mental health problems are often attributed to socioeconomic factors, which can also hinder access to services. An understanding of perceptions about mental health can help to align programmes for appropriateness and effectiveness. Our study suggests that beneficial additional services for people living in low-income urban settings in Uganda could include those which are free, community-based or offering financial support.
Sections du résumé
Background
UNASSIGNED
Mental health problems contribute to a substantial proportion of the global burden of disease. In Uganda, the World Health Organization estimates that 2.2 million people are affected by mental health disorders. Further research is needed to highlight people's views about mental health in order to ensure that services are appropriate, accessible and effective.
Aim
UNASSIGNED
This qualitative study aimed to explore perceptions, experiences and care-seeking preferences to inform stakeholders looking to provide contextually appropriate mental health programmes.
Setting
UNASSIGNED
A diverse neighbourhood in central Kampala, Uganda.
Methods
UNASSIGNED
The authors conducted 56 in-depth semi-structured interviews with people over the age of 37 years from November 2018 to May 2019.
Results
UNASSIGNED
Participants discussed interpersonal and systemic issues that affect mental health in their community and the existing coping mechanisms that people employ. Social factors were often associated with mental health problems, with 36% of participants attributing them to economic stressors in particular. Mental health services were often perceived to be unavailable, costly or stigmatised, which can mean that care-seeking is delayed until problems become severe. Some people said they prefer to turn to prayer (25%) or counselling within their family or community (12.5%).
Conclusion
UNASSIGNED
Mental health problems are often attributed to socioeconomic factors, which can also hinder access to services. An understanding of perceptions about mental health can help to align programmes for appropriateness and effectiveness. Our study suggests that beneficial additional services for people living in low-income urban settings in Uganda could include those which are free, community-based or offering financial support.
Identifiants
pubmed: 35747338
doi: 10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v28i0.1690
pii: SAJPsy-28-1690
pmc: PMC9210188
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
1690Informations de copyright
© 2022. The Authors.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
The authors declare that they have no financial or personal relationships that may have inappropriately influenced them in writing this article.
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