title: Normal grief and its correlates in Lubumbashi, an urban city in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Grief is a universal experience faced at one time or another by most people during their lives. Response to grief and bereavement losses can lead to psychiatric disorders such as mood disorders, post traumatic responses, insomnia loss of appetite, anxiety, and depression. The aim of our study is to value in our community the physical and psychological complications of a normal grief.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a cross-sectional study from March 2012 to September 2012 in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo. Two questionnaires, the Hamilton Anxiety Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory scale were used as screening tool. A snow ball sampling method was performed and the questionnaires were administered only to those who consented to participate in the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 78 subjects were included in the study of which 87.2% were aged between 14-50 years old. The majority of the subjects were female 65.4%, and about a quarter (28%) was unemployed. The main correlates of the grief reported in the present study were being treated as witchcraft or accused to be responsible of a death (68%), being rejected by family and not being allowed to inherit (32%). Being homeless was reported in 26%. The main psychological symptoms reported were psychological distress after 1 year (65%) and related physical health problems after the death (72%). Depression and mild anxiety were the most reported disorders, with respectively 92.3% and 74.4% of the subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Grief in Lubumbashi is associated with a large number of psychological, social and health problems. Health problems such as gastric is, high blood pressure were often reported. Being accused of witchcraft remains the main social impact. Depression and anxiety were the most psychological problem associated with grief.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Psychiatry Unit, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
authors: Katabwa Kabongo
authors: KK
authors: Joe
authors: Department of Public Health, University of Kinshasa (UNIKIN), Democratic Republic of Congo.
authors: Mala Ali
authors: MA
authors: Mapatano
authors: Department of Psychology, Excellence Centre, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
authors: Tshibangu
authors: T
authors: Manyonga
authors: Department de Science Biomedical University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
authors: Costa Kazadi
authors: CK
authors: Mwadianvita
authors: Department of Neurology, University of Mbuji Mayi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
authors: Mutombo
authors: M
authors: Valérien
authors: Department of Paediatrics, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
authors: Wembonyama
authors: W
authors: Stanis
authors: Neurology Unit, Mons Regional Hospital Complex and University Catholique de Louvain (UCL), Belgium, Department of Paediatrics, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
authors: Mukendi
authors: M
authors: Kavulu
authors: Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Norway.
authors: Kashala
authors: K
authors: Espérance
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015023:Democratic Republic of the Congo / Q000453:epidemiology; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population; D018599:Witchcraft / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Democratic Republic of Congo; Grief; anxiety; complications; depression