African health sciences
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African health sciences · Aug 2009
The prevalence and severity of mental illnesses handled by traditional healers in two districts in Uganda.
Little is known about the prevalence and severity of DSM-IV mental disorders treated by traditional healers in Uganda. ⋯ These findings suggest that a considerable number of patients with DSM-IV diagnosable mental disorders attend traditional healing shrines; the majority had moderate to severe symptoms. Mental health professionals therefore need to come up with ways to co-operate with traditional healers, e.g. as officially designated Traditional Mental Attendants (TMA), for the benefit of their patients.