Psychological Distress and Traditional Healing in Uganda
Author Information
Author(s): Catherine Abbo, Solvig Ekblad, Paul Waako, Elialilia Okello, WIlson Muhwezi, Seggane Musisi
Primary Institution: Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, Stockholm, Sweden
Hypothesis
What is the prevalence of psychological distress among attendees of traditional healing practices in Uganda?
Conclusion
A significant number of attendees of traditional healing practices in Uganda experience psychological distress, influenced by factors such as poverty and family structure.
Supporting Evidence
- 65.1% of attendees were found to have psychological distress.
- Factors such as having more than four children and being in debt were significantly associated with psychological distress.
- Those who visited both traditional healers and health units were less likely to be distressed.
Takeaway
Many people who visit traditional healers in Uganda are feeling very sad or stressed, and things like having a lot of kids or not having enough food can make it worse.
Methodology
Face-to-face interviews using the Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) were conducted with 400 patients attending traditional healing.
Potential Biases
Potential bias from only including registered traditional healers and not accounting for night patients.
Limitations
The study's cross-sectional design limits causal conclusions, and it was conducted in only two districts, which may not represent all traditional healing attendees in Uganda.
Participant Demographics
Participants were primarily Basoga, with a mean age of 34.8 years, and included both males and females with varying levels of education and socioeconomic status.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
95% CI 0.06–0.63
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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