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.
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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.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Socio-economic factors associated with mental health disorders in Fort Portal, western Uganda |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v26i0.1391 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v26i0.1391 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | 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). |
| Keywords: | mental health; mental health services; stigma; economic stress; outreach; Uganda |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of S&HS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of S&HS > Dept of Anthropology |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10138340 |
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