Mental disorders among the Borana semi-nomadic community in Southern Ethiopia

This study aimed to estimate the lifetime prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of psychiatric disorders among the Borana semi-nomadic community of the Oromia region of Ethiopia. 1854 people of both sexes, aged 15 years and above, were interviewed during the survey. The households were selected by using a cluster sampling method proportionate to population size. The interviews were conducted by trained high school graduates using the Oromiffa version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). The lifetime prevalence of ICD-10 mental disorders, including substance abuse, was 21.6%. Affective disorders were found in 1.7% of the study population, whereas neurotic and somatoform disorders constituted 14%. No cases of schizophrenia were detected. The prevalence of substance use was 10.1%. Studies using other methods, including interview by clinicians, might shed more light on the nature of mental illness in this unique community.