Schizophrenia among Sesotho speakers in South Africa: original

Type Journal Article - African journal of psychiatry
Title Schizophrenia among Sesotho speakers in South Africa: original
Author(s)
Volume 14
Issue 1
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2011
Page numbers 50-55
URL http://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajpsy/article/viewFile/65473/53162
Abstract
The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical presentation of schizophrenia among Sesotho speakers.
Method: A sample of 100 participants diagnosed with schizophrenia was evaluated using the Psychiatric Interview
Questionnaire. Results: Core symptoms of schizophrenia among Sesotho speakers do not differ significantly from other cultures.
However, the content of psychological symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations is strongly affected by cultural variables.
Somatic symptoms such as headaches, palpitations, dizziness and excessive sweating were prevalent among the Sesothospeaking
participants suffering from schizophrenia. Conclusion:In South Africa, as is the case throughout the African continent,
health professionals are still trained in Western models, especially DSM-IV-TR and ICD-10. Certain changes should be made to
these models to account for cultural differences that were found in this research.

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