Attitudes towards mental illness in Uganda: a survey in 18 districts

Uganda, in common with many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, has many population risk factors predictive of high levels of mental disorder but poor coverage of mental healthcare (Kigozi, 2005). Recent population studies conducted in Uganda have shown rates of disorder in excess of 20% (Kasoro et al, 2002; Bolton et al, 2004; Ovuga et al, 2005) and the survey by Kasoro et al (2002) showed a high prevalence of patients with severe mental illness and poor access to services. There are 19 psychiatrists for 24.8 million people in Uganda, all but one of whom is based in the capital city, Kampala (Kigozi, 2005). The provision of mental health services relies on the use of psychiatric clinical officers (a cadre of trained mental health workers, similar to community psychiatric nurses, who currently cover 18 of the 56 districts in Uganda), primary care personnel, non-governmental organisations and members of the community. Liaison with traditional healers is encouraged (Ovuga et al, 1999).