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The Healthcare-Seeking Behaviour of Schizophrenic Patients in Cambodia

Author

Listed:
  • Xavier Coton

    (Université Catholique de Louvain, Belgium, xacoton@hotmail.com)

  • Sin Poly

    (National Program for Mental Health, University of Health Sciences, Cambodia)

  • Philippe Hoyois

    (Université Catholique de Louvain, Belgium)

  • Chhit Sophal

    (National Program for Mental Health, University of Health Sciences, Cambodia)

  • Vincent Dubois

    (Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Saint-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain, Belgium)

Abstract

Aims: To understand the patterns of the schizophrenic patients' healthcare-seeking behaviour (HCSB) in the context of a post-conflict country where psychiatric facilities are scarce. Methods: Cross-sectional survey assessing schizophrenic patients and their caregivers who consulted for the first time in four different outpatient psychiatric departments. Results: One hundred and four schizophrenic patients were selected: 56.7% began the HCSB with traditional medicine; 22.1% with western medicine, psychiatry included, and 20.2% with religious medicine; 77.3% did not begin the HCSB with psychiatry because they did not know it was a mental problem or because they did not know mental health services existed. The patients' education was the only factor that significantly influenced the HCSB. Conclusion: In Cambodia, traditional and religious medicine are the first pathway to mental healthcare when patient and caregiver decide to seek help due to psychotic symptoms. The lack of knowledge on mental health and facilities appears the main reason to explain the schizophrenic patients' HCSB. This suggests that the development of psychiatry in Cambodia will be facilitated by a better spreading of knowledge on mental health and will have to take traditional and religious medicine into account.

Suggested Citation

  • Xavier Coton & Sin Poly & Philippe Hoyois & Chhit Sophal & Vincent Dubois, 2008. "The Healthcare-Seeking Behaviour of Schizophrenic Patients in Cambodia," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 54(4), pages 328-337, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:54:y:2008:i:4:p:328-337
    DOI: 10.1177/0020764008090286
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Gila Schnitzer & Gerrit Loots & Valentin Escudero & Isaac Schechter, 2011. "Negotiating the Pathways Into Care in a Globalizing World: Help-Seeking Behaviour of Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Parents," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 57(2), pages 153-165, March.
    2. Bunna Phoeun & Leang Chanthorn & Lena Schulhofer & Sareth Khann & Thea Soung & Kevin Conroy & Amanda J. Nguyen, 2023. "‘I feel hopeless’: Exploring the psychosocial impacts of caring for mentally ill relatives in Cambodia," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 69(2), pages 438-446, March.

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