Prevalence of Common Mental Disorders in a Rural District of Kenya, and Socio-Demographic Risk Factors
1
Director, WHO Collaborating Centre (Mental Health), Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, P.O. Box 35, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK
2
Consultant Psychiatrist, Upper Hill Medical Centre, Nairobi, Kenya
3
Consultant Psychiatrist, The Nairobi Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
4
Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
5
Ministry of Health Survey Department, Nairobi, Kenya
6
Mildmay International Kenya, Kisumu, Kenya
7
Director of Policy & Research, UK Drug Policy Commission, London N1 9NG, UK
8
Research Director, National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), London EC1V 0AX, UK
9
Director of Mental Health, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2012, 9(5), 1810-1819; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph9051810
Received: 7 March 2012 / Revised: 20 April 2012 / Accepted: 26 April 2012 / Published: 9 May 2012
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.
View Full-Text
Keywords:
epidemiology; Kenya; development
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License
MDPI and ACS Style
Jenkins, R.; Njenga, F.; Okonji, M.; Kigamwa, P.; Baraza, M.; Ayuyo, J.; Singleton, N.; McManus, S.; Kiima, D. Prevalence of Common Mental Disorders in a Rural District of Kenya, and Socio-Demographic Risk Factors. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2012, 9, 1810-1819.
Show more citation formats
Search more from Scilit
