Epidemiological Profile of People Living with Mental Health Disorders Admitted at a Referral Hospital in eSwatini

Thembelihle Sam  Ntuli; Sogo France Matlala; Josephine Ziki

doi:10.25159/2520-5293/11599

Authors

Thembelihle Sam Ntuli Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3101-5814
Sogo France Matlala University of Limpopo
Josephine Ziki University of Limpopo https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0120-7578

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25159/2520-5293/11599

Keywords:

eSwatini, epidemiological profile, mental health disorders, patient medical records

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine and identify the pattern of mental health disorders found at a referral hospital in eSwatini. In this retrospective study, 307 patient medical records of people living with mental health disorders seen at a referral hospital in eSwatini, were consecutively sampled. Results are summarised as frequencies and percentages. Comparison between the groups was determined by chi-squared tests, and a p-value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Three hundred and seven patient medical records were selected from 1 304 available records of people living with mental health disorders seen from January to December 2016. Of these, 53% were males, 73% were aged ≤40 years and 60% were unmarried. Nearly half (47%) had secondary education, 65% were unemployed and 55% were outpatients. Bipolar affective disorders, schizophrenia and major depressive disorders were the leading mental health disorders. These three conditions represent 78% of mental health disorders in this study. Bipolar affective disorders were the leading mental health disorders in the ≤25 years age group and 26–40 years age group, while schizophrenia was the most common in adults aged >40 years. Results seem to indicate that risk identification, early intervention, partnership with family caregivers, and the integration of evidence-based psychosocial interventions into existing services are vital to addressing these issues.

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Author Biographies

Thembelihle Sam Ntuli, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

Department of Statistical Sciences; Senior Lecturer

Josephine Ziki, University of Limpopo

Postgraduate student

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