Psychiatric disorders in an African refugee camp

Abstract

This article describes a study of the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among the clients of a community mental health service in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya. It is based on the case logbook maintained by the nurse-manager over a period of three years. Post-traumatic stress disorder was the most common diagnosis. Findings suggest that it is feasible to establish a low-cost community mental health service in refugee camps in low-income countries such as Kenya. Such a service is likely to attract an immediate and growing demand for assistance.