Explanatory models of psychosis among community health workers in South India.
OBJECTIVE
To examine commonly held indigenous beliefs about mental illness, which often differ markedly from the biomedical models, among community health workers in rural South India.


METHODS
Indigenous beliefs about chronic psychosis were elicited from community health workers. The Short Explanatory Model Interview formed the basis of the interview.


RESULTS
A variety of indigenous beliefs, which contradicted the biomedical model, were elicited. A significant proportion of health workers did not recognize chronic psychosis as a disease condition, believing that it was caused by black magic, evil spirits and poverty, and felt that doctors could not help.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the study suggest that training programmes should elicit and discuss local beliefs prior to the teaching of the biomedical model of mental disorders.
Joel
D
D
College of Nursing, Department of Biostatistics, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India.
Sathyaseelan
M
M
Jayakaran
R
R
Vijayakumar
C
C
Muthurathnam
S
S
Jacob
K S
KS
D003153:Community Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003150:Community Health Workers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012424:Rural Population; D012944:Social Support; D014944:World Health Organization