Psychiatric Disorders in an African Refugee Camp

Kamau, M., Silove, D., Steel, Z., Catanzaro, R., Bateman, C., & Ekblad, S. (2004). Psychiatric disorders in an African refugee camp. Intervention, 2(2), 84-9.

This article describes a study of the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among the clients of a community mental health service in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya. It is based on the case logbook maintained by the nurse-manager over a period of three years. Post-traumatic stress disorder was the most common diagnosis. Findings suggest that it is feasible to establish a low-cost community mental health service in refugee camps in low-income countries such as Kenya. Such a service is likely to attract an immediate and growing demand for assistance.

 Download (178KB)

• 2(2), Africa, Community Mental Health, Psychosis, Refugees, Service utilization, Trauma