Food insecurity among people with severe mental disorder in a rural Ethiopian setting: a comparative, population-based study.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

In low-income African countries, ensuring food security for all segments of the population is a high priority. Mental illness is associated consistently with poverty, but there is little evidence regarding the association with food insecurity. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of food insecurity in people with severe mental disorders (SMD) with the general population in a rural African setting with a high burden of food insecurity.

Method

Households of 292 community-ascertained people with a specialist-confirmed diagnosis of SMD (including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder) were compared with 284 households without a person with SMD in a rural district in south Ethiopia. At the time of the study, no mental health services were available within the district

SUBMITTER: Tirfessa K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6998966 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature