Help-seeking patterns and level of care for individuals with bipolar disorder in Rwanda.

ABSTRACT: Most descriptive data on individuals with bipolar disorder originate from high-resource settings. Very little is known about the accessibility and service provision of intensive mental health care to persons living with bipolar disorder in low-resource settings. This information is needed to inform health systems and guide practitioners to improve standard treatment options and access to treatment. This cross-sectional study explored the level of care for outpatients with bipolar disorder and their help-seeking patterns at the two national referral hospitals in Rwanda. The study found that the majority, 93%, of outpatients with bipolar disorder in Rwanda were on prophylactic psychopharmacological treatment, but mainly first-generation antipsychotics and just 3% received lithium treatment.

SUBMITTER: Arnbjerg CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10564122 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature