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Lifetime prevalence of psychiatric disorders in South Africa

University of Cape Town

Soraya Seedat

University of Stellenbosch

Allen Herman

Medical University of Southern Africa, Pretoria

Hashim Moomal

University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

Steven G. Heeringa

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Ronald C. Kessler and David R. Williams

Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

Correspondence: Dan J. Stein, UCT Department of Psychiatry, Groote Shuur Hospital J-2, Anzio Road, Observatory 7925, Cape Town, South Africa. Email: dan.stein{at}uct.ac.za

Declaration of interest

None. Funding detailed in Acknowledgements.

Background

Data on the lifetime prevalence of psychiatric disorders in South Africa are of interest, not only for the purposes of developing evidence-based mental health policy, but also in view of South Africa's particular historical and demographic circumstances.

Method

A nationally representative household survey was conducted between 2002 and 2004 using the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) to generate diagnoses. The data-set analysed included 4351 adult South Africans of all ethnic groups.

Results

Lifetime prevalence of DSM–IV/CIDI disorders was determined for anxiety disorders (15.8%), mood disorders (9.8%), substance use disorders (13.4%) and any disorder (30.3%). Lifetime prevalence of substance use disorders differed significantly across ethnic groups. Median age at onset was earlier for substance use disorders (21 years) than for anxiety disorders (32 years) or mood disorders (37 years).

Conclusions

In comparison with data from other countries, South Africa has a particularly high lifetime prevalence of substance use disorders. These disorders have an early age at onset, providing an important target for the planning of local mental health services.

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BJP 2008 192: A6. [Full Text]