Primary mental health care in Nicaragua

Thirty-nine primary health care workers were interviewed in the Esteli Region of Nicaragua to determine their knowledge, attitudes and ideas for change regarding mental illness in primary care. The aim was to provide a qualitative description in order to assess learners' needs and plan a training programme in mental health care to be carried out by the Esteli mental health team. The results showed a wide range in knowledge regarding diagnoses and treatments. Many of the workers were keen to learn more and nearly all had positive ideas as to how primary care and links with secondary care could be improved. The study is an example of how a small qualitative study can help planning of training programmes and can highlight those primary health care issues relevant to the local situation.