Objective: The study aimed to investigate the types of mental illnesses treated by traditional healers, and their methods of
identifying and treating mental illnesses in their patients. Method: In urban informal settlements of Kibera, Kangemi and
Kawangware in Nairobi, Kenya, we used opportunistic sampling until the required number of traditional healers was reached,
Mental disorders are highly prevalent and cause considerable suffering and disease burden. To compound this public
health problem, many individuals with psychiatric disorders remain untreated although effective treatments exist. We examine the
extent of this treatment gap. We reviewed community-based psychiatric epidemiology studies that used standardized diagnostic
Background: Little is known about the prevalence and severity of DSM-IV mental disorders treated by traditional healers in
Uganda.
Objective: To describe the prevalence and severity of DSM-IV disorders handled by traditional healers in Jinja and Iganga districts,
Eastern Uganda.
This paper reviews some recent research on the mental health ofthe First Nations, Inuit, and Metis ofCanada. We
summarize evidencefor the social origins ofmental health problems and illustrate the ongoing responses ofindividuals
and communities to the legacy ofcolonization. Cultural discontinuity andoppression have been linked to high rates
Illness and medicine are among a limited number of topical domains which cross-cultural researchers have for some time described as organized bodies of cultural knowledge (e.g., Clements 1932; and see Conklin 1972:363–392 for a bibliography).
Aims: To determine the general characteristics of people with mental disorders in traditional healers centres in Sudan in
terms of sociodemographic profile, common clinical presentations and diagnostic features, and to look at the treatment
methods and intervention procedures used in these centres for treating people with mental illness.
Analysing data from interviews with traditional birth assistants and their clients in rural Nigeria, this paper examines the characteristics and conditions of persons using the services of traditional birth homes. The clients of traditional birth homes mainly comprise women with little or no formal education and in low or no‐income occupations.
Aims: To determine the general characteristics of people with mental disorders in traditional healers centres in Sudan in
terms of sociodemographic profile, common clinical presentations and diagnostic features, and to look at the treatment
methods and intervention procedures used in these centres for treating people with mental illness.
Recent qualitative research conducted in metropolitan Perth and the Kimberley region of
Western Australia has highlighted major gaps in service delivery to Aboriginal clientele
suffering depression and suicidal ideation (Vicary, 2002). Seventy Aboriginal people were
interviewed about their beliefs and attitudes towards mental health, western psychology and