Psychiatric Morbidity in a Small Ethiopian Town

Abstract

Virtually nothing is known about the prevalence of mental illness in Ethiopia. The only two mental hospitals, one in Addis Ababa and one in Asmara, caring for about 800 in-patients from a population of 22 million perhaps reflect the type of severe psychotic illness occurring in this country (Pavicevic, 1966). A few authors (Leiris, 1958; Lord, Fuller Torrey, 1966; Messing, 1959; Giel, Gezahegn and van Luijk 1968a and b) mention the existence of psychoneurotic illness, indicating that local cults and native healers play a role in their management. However no epidemio logical survey has been conducted to provide more systematic information. Any attempt at such a survey is bound to meet with consider able difficulties. Hospital statistics regarding admission rates are influenced most of all by economic factors and by distance from hospital, especially during the rainy season when travelling is at times almost impossible.