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Mental Health Diagnostic Frameworks, Imputed Causes of Mental Illness, and Alternative Treatments in Northern Tanzania: Exploring Mental Health Providers' Perspectives.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Knettel, BA; Rugira, J; Cornett, JA
Published in: Culture, medicine and psychiatry
September 2018

In Tanzania, a nation with a large mental health treatment gap, local stakeholders' perspectives are critical for informing effective treatment. The practice-based perspectives of mental health providers may be particularly instructive. Existing foundational literature on the professional population in this region is scarce. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 29 mental health providers in northern Tanzania. Interviews focused on three topics: use of international diagnostic frameworks for mental illness, beliefs about causes of mental health concerns, and alternative treatments sought by clients. Interview data were coded and analyzed using consensual qualitative research and the constant comparative method. Usage of diagnostic frameworks varied widely. Providers believed frameworks accurately described many patients but neglected somatic symptoms and contained diagnoses that they had never witnessed. Providers described supernatural and spiritual attributions of mental illness as substantially impacting treatment decisions. Other notable attributions included physical illness, drug/alcohol use, and heredity. Providers reported their clients routinely sought treatment from traditional and spiritual healers prior to seeking care in the formal health system. This study builds a foundation for the ongoing development of the mental health system in northern Tanzania. Findings also support exploration of integrative models of care and task-shifting to incorporate traditional and spiritual beliefs.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Culture, medicine and psychiatry

DOI

EISSN

1573-076X

ISSN

0165-005X

Publication Date

September 2018

Volume

42

Issue

3

Start / End Page

483 / 503

Related Subject Headings

  • Tanzania
  • Psychiatry
  • Mental Health
  • Mental Disorders
  • Humans
  • Health Personnel
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • Adult
 

Citation

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Knettel, B. A., Rugira, J., & Cornett, J. A. (2018). Mental Health Diagnostic Frameworks, Imputed Causes of Mental Illness, and Alternative Treatments in Northern Tanzania: Exploring Mental Health Providers' Perspectives. Culture, Medicine and Psychiatry, 42(3), 483–503. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11013-018-9565-z
Knettel, Brandon A., Janvier Rugira, and Joseph A. Cornett. “Mental Health Diagnostic Frameworks, Imputed Causes of Mental Illness, and Alternative Treatments in Northern Tanzania: Exploring Mental Health Providers' Perspectives.Culture, Medicine and Psychiatry 42, no. 3 (September 2018): 483–503. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11013-018-9565-z.
Knettel, Brandon A., et al. “Mental Health Diagnostic Frameworks, Imputed Causes of Mental Illness, and Alternative Treatments in Northern Tanzania: Exploring Mental Health Providers' Perspectives.Culture, Medicine and Psychiatry, vol. 42, no. 3, Sept. 2018, pp. 483–503. Epmc, doi:10.1007/s11013-018-9565-z.
Journal cover image

Published In

Culture, medicine and psychiatry

DOI

EISSN

1573-076X

ISSN

0165-005X

Publication Date

September 2018

Volume

42

Issue

3

Start / End Page

483 / 503

Related Subject Headings

  • Tanzania
  • Psychiatry
  • Mental Health
  • Mental Disorders
  • Humans
  • Health Personnel
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • Adult