Biomedical subjects

A P Reeler

Publications and source records attributed to A P Reeler.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1994

A preliminary investigation into psychological disorders among Mozambican refugees: prevalence and clinical features.

Psychological disorders are common in refugee samples, with several studies showing high rates of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The present study examined the prevalence and factors associated with psychological disorders in Mozambican refugees in Zimbabwe. The findings indicated a very high prevalence rate (62 pc), which is considerably higher than that obtained from other settings within Zimbabwe. The demographic characteristics were similar in most respects to other Zimbabwean samples, but there was a trend towards greater social adversity (more relationship difficulties, less schooling and higher employment). Clinically, refugees were severe, with high scores on the SRQ-20, a presenting picture of multiple somatic complaints, and a high rate of rated suicidal risk. There were a significant number of refugees who had had an experience with violence in their recent past, as well as there having been frequent life events in the past six months. The implications of these findings are discussed with reference to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and the management of psychological disorders generally.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Psychopathology in primary care patients: a four year study in rural and urban settings in Zimbabwe.

It has been argued that prevalence rates for psychopathology in Africa are stable over time and setting. There are, however, few longitudinal studies, and these conclusions are mainly based upon point prevalence studies. It has also been observed that African patients present with somatic symptoms, a feature argued to impede detection. Furthermore, it has been argued that such multiple somatic symptoms (three or more) are diagnostic of psychopathology. The present study examined these questions in the context of a longitudinal design. Prescriptive screenings of both rural and urban primary care patients were undertaken, and repeated the following year. The measures indicate that there is no significant difference in the rates in urban and rural settings, nor any difference in the rates over time. There were few differences between cases and non-cases in demographic characteristics, but there were differences in the clinical characteristics of the two groups. Cases tended to present with more symptoms than non-cases, thus corroborating earlier findings. In addition, the symptoms of cases tended to implicate more physiological systems than non-cases.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Pathways to psychiatric care in Harare, Zimbabwe.

A study was carried out on the pathways to psychiatric care in Harare, Zimbabwe. Encounter forms were completed on 48 patients admitted to psychiatric beds. Analysis indicated that there was a by-pass of primary care facilities, with a significant number presenting directly to tertiary care facilities, here were lengthy delays before seeking care, but delays while receiving care were moderate. The sample as a whole was composed of major disorders, displaying severe symptoms, and there was a suggestion that some patients become more disturbed along the pathway. As a whole, the sample is very different to samples screened from primary care settings, and the consequences of this are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Teaching Zimbabwean medical students an awareness of hidden psychological disorder in an urban outpatient setting.

A one-week attachment to an urban primary health care clinic was introduced into the eight-week psychiatric teaching block for fourth (penultimate) year medical students at the University of Zimbabwe. Its objective was to alert students to underlying psychological disorder in patients presenting, at primary health care level, with physical symptomatology. Students were required to screen patients using a 20-item questionnaire, take a psychosocial history of all high-scoring patients, and make one home visit. The attachment proved both popular and valuable, and it is anticipated that this will now become an integral part of the psychiatric teaching block.

Adult↗

PubMed1987