Prevalence of Common Mental Disorders in a Rural District of Kenya, and Socio-Demographic Risk Factors

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.

Prevalence of Common Mental Disorders and Associated Factors among Residents of Jimma Town, South West Ethiopia

“…The higher prevalence among women could be explained by considerable level of stress and suffering faced by women due to heavier burden of social and household responsibilities. In the current study the prevalence of common mental disorders was higher in older age group which was supported by similar community based studies from Ethiopia and Kenya [9,13]. In the current study being married was independently associated as a protective factor from common mental disorders which was similar with a study finding from a general population survey in Greece [6].…”

“…The prevalence of the current study was found to be higher from similar community based studies in Kenya where the prevalence of common mental disorders was 10.8% and in Ethiopia, Butajira (17%). The reasons could be the Clinical Interview Schedule-Revised (CIS-R) was used in Kenyan study and the Butajira study used a cut-off point of ≥11 of the SRQ-20 items which makes the prevalence of common mental disorders lower [9,10].…”

“…Whereas, a 12.1% of life time prevalence and 5.8% of 12 month prevalence of common mental disorders (CMDs) was shown in Nigeria [9][10][11]. Available community based studies in Ethiopia conducted in Butajira, Addis Ababa and Kombolcha town indicated that, common mental disorders are the highest ranging from 17%-32.4% [12][13][14].…”

Doctor to Patient Ratio and Infrastructure Gap in a Psychiatric Hospital in Oil Rich Eket, Nigeria

“…The finding of more female patients agrees with the higher frequency of female patients found in a Kenyan studies [12,25]. The study reaffirms the findings from other studies about the predominance of female patients.…”

“…According to the United States government, Morocco has inadequate numbers of physicians (0.5 per 1,000 people) and in Ethopia, the physician to population ratio was 1:48,000 [39]. It in Kenya that a lesser psychiatrist to patient ratio was found with a physician to population ratio there is only 1 psychiatrist per 500,000 populations [25]. This may be because Nigeria is a more endowed country than Kenya, with more abundant human and material resources.…”