Summary
A retrospective study was carried out of 208 treated schizophrenic patients and their next of kin in two apparently dissimilar psychiatric centres in Nigeria. The two groups were approximately matched on a number of demographic variables.
The educational and religious background of the patients who obtained pre-admission care, as well as the sources which the patients utilized, were investigated. A substantial number of the patients from all educational levels sought care from either native healers or syncretic churches: this was true for both Christians and Moslems. The utilization of traditional healers prior to the admission of patients with diverse background suggests that psychiatric disorder is well placed within the belief-system despite modernizing influences.
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Erinosho, O.A. Social background and pre-admission sources of care among yoruba psychiatric patients. Soc Psychiatry 12, 71–74 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00579114
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00579114