Impact of Socio-Cultural Factors on Early Intervention in Psychosis: Goromonzi, Mashonaland East Province, Zimbabwe

This paper discusses Socio-cultural factors and their impact on early intervention in psychosis in Zimbabwe. It is an analysis paper which draws from literature as well as being informed by work done. This work involved dramas, interviews, FGDs and unobtrusive observations, as well as ethnography and was done in rural Mashonaland east Province. 300 Participants were drawn from the entire community, and these included 8 local clinic staff, 7 headmen, 5 Government officials, 20 traditional and faith-based practitioners and 260 mental health patients and caregivers. These were purposively sampled. Findings revealed that social factors have both a negative and positive impact on mental health issues. It argues that, through social and cultural practices compounded by economic hardships, gains from early interventions are compromised. The paper acknowledges that these two factors have a larger bearing in mental health interventions both negative and positive and is always evolving, yet national policy seems to be silent on its contribution to this vulnerable population. The state machinery has been unable to adequately provide the necessary care and support for mental illness because of financial and or political constraints. This write-up has proved that there is both negative and positive impact of social and cultural factors in early intervention in psychosis. It has been noted that they both contribute to help seeking and treatment pathways. It concludes by recommending that the Government should embrace faith based organisations (FBOs) African Tradition Religions (ATR) and the conventional medical models (Hospitals) collaboration. It further recommended that these collaboration be linked with formal community based support structures in order to strengthen the psychosis intervention matrix.