Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Barriers to Care in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.
A range of barriers to seeking mental health care in low- and middle-income countries has been investigated. Little, however, is known of the barriers to care and help-seeking behavior among people with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in low- and middle-income countries. This was a population-based study including 977 people aged 18-40 years from the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. Current PTSD was assessed by using a diagnostic questionnaire (Mini International Psychiatric Interview). An additional questionnaire captured socioeconomic and health-related data. The prevalence of current PTSD was 10.8%. Only 48.1% of people with current PTSD accessed health care services. Younger people aged 18 to 29 years were less likely to seek health care, OR = 0.36, 95% CI [0.15, 0.85]. People earning a salary or wage, OR = 2.91, 95% CI [1.26, 6.71]; and those with tuberculosis, OR = 11.63, 95% CI [1.42, 95.56], were more likely to seek health care. A range of barriers to seeking care were identified, the most striking being stigma and a lack of knowledge regarding the nature and treatment of mental illness. People with current PTSD may seek help for other health concerns and brief screening means those affected may be readily identified.
School of Clinical Care Sciences, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Kegan
K
Topper
Department of Psychology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Kempie
K
van Rooyen
Directorate of Research Development, Walter Sisulu University, Eastern Cape, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Christoffel
C
Grobler
School of Clinical Care Sciences, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Dalena
D
van Rooyen
Department of Social Work, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Lena M C
LM
Andersson
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D015995:Prevalence; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits; D012752:Shame; D057545:Social Stigma; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications; D055815:Young Adult