Community perceptions of mental distress in a post-conflict setting

A qualitative study in Burundi

Datos Bibliográficos

ID15540426
AutoresItziar Familiar (0000-0002-5190-9148, Johns Hopkins University, autor de correspondencia), Sonali Sharma (0000-0001-9479-1832, HealthNet TPO), Herman Ndayisaba (Republic of Burundi), Norbert Munyentwari (Republic of Burundi), Seleus Sibomana (Republic of Burundi), Jeffrey Ba (0000-0002-5192-628X, Johns Hopkins University)
Año2013
Volumen8
Número8
Páginas943-957
Fecha de publicación2013-08-07
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaGlobal Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1744-1692 • E-ISSN: 1744-1706
EditorialTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/17441692.2013.819587
PMID23941217
OpenAlexW2006483880
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas15
Referencias citadas31

There is scant documentation of the mental health characteristics of low-income communities recovering from armed conflict. To prepare for quantitative health surveys and health service planning in Burundi, we implemented a qualitative study to explore concepts related to mental distress and coping among adults. Mental distress was defined as problems related to feelings, thinking, behaviour and physical stress. Using free listing and key informant interviews with a range of community members, we triangulated data to identify salient issues. Thirty-eight free list respondents and 23 key informants were interviewed in 5 rural communities in Burundi using 2 interview guides from the WHO Toolkit for Mental Health Assessment in Humanitarian Settings. Based on these interviews, we identified four locally defined idioms/terms relating to mental distress: ihahamuka (anxiety spectrum illnesses), ukutiyemera (a mix of depression and anxiety-like syndrome), akabonge (depression/grief-like syndrome) and kwamana ubwoba burengeje (anxiety-like syndrome). Mental distress terms were perceived as important problems impacting community development. Affected individuals sought help from several sources within the community, including community leaders and traditional healers. We discuss how local expressions of distress can be used to tailor health research and service integration from the bottom up

Anxiety · Coping (psychology · Distress · Mental distress · Mental health · Psychiatry · Qualitative research · Sociology · Clinical Psychology · Global Maternal and Child Health · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Migration, Health and Trauma · Psychology