title: Depression in Benin: an assessment using the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale and the principal component analysis.
abstract: Ninety two major depressed outpatients were rated with the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale (CPRS) in Cotonou, in Benin (West-Africa). Patients satisfied modified DSM III major depression criteria and were French-speaking. Men, civil servants, and city dwellers were over-represented in the population sample. The examination of item frequency yielded rather 'western-like' clinical features of depression: with differences described previously: a lower frequency of suicidal thoughts and guilt feelings, a higher frequency of somatic complaints and ideas of persecution. Principal component analysis reinforced 'western-like' aspects. The relationship between the so-called 'western culture-bound symptoms' and the so-called 'African ones' is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Service de Psychiatrie et Psychologie Médicale, CHU St Jacques, Besancon, France.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bertschy
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Viel
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Ahyi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001541:Benin; D044383:Black People; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics; D012922:Social Change