Am J Psychiatry 1989; 146:708-716
Copyright © 1989 by American Psychiatric Association

SPECIAL ARTICLES

Psychiatry in Africa: an overview

AO Odejide, LK Oyewunmi and JU Ohaeri
Department of Psychiatry, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.

The authors review the practice of psychiatry in Africa today. They describe the similarities as well as the differences between psychiatry in Africa and in the Western world in the rates, presentations, and treatment of neurosis, depression, schizophrenia, and suicide and drug- and alcohol-related problems. Child psychiatric services and research in biological psychiatry are rare in Africa, and sociocultural problems confront epidemiologic studies and the use of psychotherapy. The authors conclude that to achieve the goal of mental health care for all Africans, psychiatry should be included in the primary health care program, regional postgraduate medical centers are needed, and a means of gathering statistics and funding research should be fostered.

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