Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of mental disorders in the Nigerian Survey of Mental Health and Well-Being.
BACKGROUND
Large-scale community studies of the prevalence of mental disorders using standardised assessment tools are rare in sub-Saharan Africa.


OBJECTIVE
To conduct such a study.


METHODS
Multistage stratified clustered sampling of households in the Yoruba-speaking parts of Nigeria. Face-to-face interviews used the World Mental Health version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (WMH-CIDI).


RESULTS
Of the 4984 people interviewed (response rate 79.9%), 12.1% had a lifetime rate of at least one DSM-IV disorder and 5.8% had 12-month disorders. Anxiety disorders were the most common (5.7% lifetime, 4.1% 12-month rates) but virtually no generalised anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder were identified. Of the 23% who had seriously disabling disorders, only about 8% had received treatment in the preceding 12 months. Treatment was mostly provided by general medical practitioners; only a few were treated by alternative practitioners such as traditional healers.


CONCLUSIONS
The observed low rates seem to reflect demographic and ascertainment factors. There was a large burden of unmet need for care among people with serious disorders.
Gureje
Oye
O
Department of Psychiatry, University of Ibadan, University College Hospital, PMB 5116, Ibadan, Nigeria. ogureje@comui.edu.ng
Lasebikan
Victor O
VO
Kola
Lola
L
Makanjuola
Victor A
VA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy