title: Psychotic symptoms in Kenya--prevalence, risk factors, and relationship with common mental disorders.
abstract: There have been few epidemiological surveys to establish prevalence and associated risk factors of psychosis in Sub-Saharan Africa. This paper reports a population-based epidemiological survey in rural Kenya of the prevalence of psychotic symptoms and their relationship with demographic, socio-economic and other risk factors. A random sample of 2% of all adults living in Maseno, Kisumu District of Nyanza province, Kenya (50,000 population) were studied, aiming for a sample size of 1,000 people. The psychosis screening questionnaire was used to assess the prevalence of psychotic symptoms in the preceding twelve months. The response rate was 87.6%. The prevalence of single psychotic symptoms in rural Kenya was 8% of the adult population, but only 0.6% had two symptoms and none had three or more psychotic symptoms in this sample size. Psychotic symptoms were evenly distributed across this relatively poor rural population and were significantly associated with presence of common mental disorders, and to a lesser extent with poor physical health and housing type. We conclude that single psychotic symptoms are relatively common in rural Kenya and rates are elevated in those with CMD, poor physical health and poor housing.
authors: WHO Collaborating Centre (Mental Health), Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, PO 35, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK. rachel.jenkins@kcl.ac.uk
authors: Rachel
authors: R
authors: Jenkins
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Njenga
authors: Marx
authors: M
authors: Okonji
authors: Pius
authors: P
authors: Kigamwa
authors: Makheti
authors: M
authors: Baraza
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Ayuyo
authors: Nicola
authors: N
authors: Singleton
authors: Sally
authors: S
authors: McManus
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Kiima
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult