Lay Concepts of Depression among the Baganda of Uganda: A Pilot Study

Abstract

The literature indicates that although depression is highly prevalent, it is rarely recognized as such. The aim was to test the use of case vignettes in exploring the explanatory models of various subtypes of depression, in six individual interviews, and four focus-group discussions. Depressive symptoms presented in these vignettes seem to be conceptualized as a problem related to cognition (thinking too much) rather than emotion (sadness) and the resulting condition is referred to as 'illness of thoughts.' Worrisome thoughts resulting from various socioeconomic problems are seen as important aetiological factors for the illness of thoughts and require no medication as it is believed that there is no medication for thoughts. There are culturally accepted ways of dealing with and healing the condition. Once illness becomes recurrent or chronic, other explanations about causes and a different course of action have to be considered. Further exploration of the relationship between thoughts and emotions among the Baganda may be an important avenue for further research.

Explanatory Models and Help-Seeking Behavior: Pathways to Psychiatric Care Among Patients Admitted for Depression in Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda

“…Nonpsychotic depression is seen as an illness of thoughts (Ebirowoozo/okweralikirira) and as having its etiology from psychosocial problems, such as marital conflicts and poverty. On the other hand, psychotic depression seems to be associated with poor relations between the living and the dead (Okello & Ekblad, 2006;Okello & Musisi, 2006). This distinction has implications for help-seeking behavior.…”

The association between depression, quality of life, and the health care expenditure of patients with diabetes mellitus in Uganda

“…First, the high patient–clinician ratio in SSA could have a direct impact on the ability of clinicians to identify and treat mental illnesses including depression (Kigozi et al, 2010; Faydi et al, 2011), leading to under-reporting of mental illnesses in DM patients. Second, cultural factors and explanatory models of diseases differ between SSA and HIC populations (Tylee, 1999; Okello and Ekblad, 2006), and so the ability of patients to report symptoms of mental illnesses, and disease presentation may be influenced by such factors. As recommended in a review by Lloyd et al (2012), the understanding of mental illnesses, and cultural diversity issues need to be considered while assessing people for mental illness.…”

Psychometric properties of instruments for assessing depression among African youth: A systematic review

“…Ethnographic and epidemiologic data suggest that the presentation of these disorders varies substantially across cultures, potentially rendering existing measures incompatible with local concepts of distress (Aidoo and Harpham 2001; Betancourt et al 2009b; Okello 2006; Okello and Ekblad 2006; Ventevogel et al 2013). The experience of sadness or depressed mood may not even be a core presenting feature of affective disturbance in some cultural contexts (Bebbington 1993; Tomlinson et al 2007).…”