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Depression in Benin: an assessment using the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale and the principal
G Bertschy1, J F Viel, R G Ahyi
1Service de Psychiatrie et Psychologie Médicale, CHU St Jacques, Besancon, France.
Abstract:
Ninety two major depressed outpatients were rated with the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale (CPRS) in Cotonou, in Benin (West-Africa). Patients satisfied modified DSM III major depression criteria and were French-speaking. Men, civil servants, and city dwellers were over-represented in the population sample. The examination of item frequency yielded rather 'western-like' clinical features of depression: with differences described previously: a lower frequency of suicidal thoughts and guilt feelings, a higher frequency of somatic complaints and ideas of persecution. Principal component analysis reinforced 'western-like' aspects. The relationship between the so-called 'western culture-bound symptoms' and the so-called 'African ones' is discussed.