eprintid: 10138340
rev_number: 14
eprint_status: archive
userid: 608
dir: disk0/10/13/83/40
datestamp: 2021-11-16 16:47:31
lastmod: 2021-11-16 16:47:31
status_changed: 2021-11-16 16:47:31
type: article
metadata_visibility: show
creators_name: Hawkins, C
creators_name: Bwanika, JM
creators_name: Ibanda, M
title: Socio-economic factors associated with mental health disorders in Fort Portal, western Uganda
ispublished: pub
divisions: UCL
divisions: B03
divisions: C03
divisions: F22
keywords: mental health; mental health services; stigma; economic stress; outreach; Uganda
note: Copyright © 2020 Charlotte Hawkins, John M. Bwanika, Martin Ibanda. This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0).
abstract: Background: Mental health disorders, which are interlinked with social issues such as poverty and stigma, present a significant burden in Uganda. /

Aim: This article explores perceptions about and experiences of mental health disorders in western Uganda, particularly as they pertain to the socio-economic context. /

Setting: The research was conducted in the mental health unit at the Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital, Kabarole District, Uganda. /

Method: This article is based on qualitative anthropological research conducted from January to March 2017, including 49 semi-structured interviews about ideas and determinants of mental health, with health workers, former mental health service users, their relatives and influential community members. /

Results: Many interviewees felt that mental health disorders are an increasing problem in their community. Economic challenges, such as poverty, unemployment and financial stress, are seen as both a cause and a consequence of mental illness. Mental health challenges can be exacerbated by shortages in mental healthcare, which are shown to be complexly interrelated with stigma. /

Conclusion: This article provides an insight into mental health experiences in Fort Portal based on the perspectives of various interviewees. Further funding and research are recommended to inform contextually appropriate services.
date: 2020-07-07
date_type: published
publisher: AOSIS
official_url: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v26i0.1391
oa_status: green
full_text_type: pub
language: eng
primo: open
primo_central: open_green
verified: verified_manual
elements_id: 1893513
doi: 10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v26i0.1391
lyricists_name: Hawkins, Charlotte
lyricists_id: CHAWK85
actors_name: Allington-Smith, Dominic
actors_id: DAALL44
actors_role: owner
full_text_status: public
publication: South African Journal of Psychiatry
volume: 26
article_number: a1391
pages: 8
citation:        Hawkins, C;    Bwanika, JM;    Ibanda, M;      (2020)    Socio-economic factors associated with mental health disorders in Fort Portal, western Uganda.                   South African Journal of Psychiatry , 26     , Article a1391.  10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v26i0.1391 <https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v26i0.1391>.       Green open access   
 
document_url: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10138340/1/Socio-economic%20factors%20associated%20with%20mental%20health%20disorders%20in%20Fort%20Portal%2C%20western%20Uganda.pdf