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Pathways to care among patients with mental illness at two psychiatric facilities in Johannesburg, South Africa

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  • Michael Galvin
  • William Byansi
  • Lesley Chiwaye
  • Zoleka Luvuno
  • Aneesa Moolla

Abstract

Background: A patient’s pathway to care is often characterized by a sequence of actions taken to remedy ill-health. Research exploring the help-seeking behavior of individuals with mental health problems in sub-Saharan Africa is relatively limited. This study assessed the perceptions and experiences of mental illness and treatment among patients with mental illness at two psychiatric facilities in Johannesburg, South Africa. Methods: 309 interviewer administered surveys were conducted between January and July 2022. We used a logistic regression model to examine factors associated with receiving treatment for mental illnesses from traditional healers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 participants during the same period. Interviews were transcribed and translated into English. Data were managed using NVivo 11 software and thematically analyzed. Findings: Results showed that 144 (47%) patients sought mental health care from traditional healers. Higher anxiety symptoms, number of people in the household, believing that traditional medicine can cure mental illnesses, and township living were associated with seeking mental healthcare from traditional healers. Qualitative analysis indicated that participants often believed that mental illness was due to bewitchment and consulted with multiple traditional healers, thus spending large amounts of money for treatment and ultimately delaying access to biomedical care. Conclusion: Collaborative approaches between traditional healers and biomedical professionals show promise in terms of allowing for improved identification and treatment of individuals with mental disorders.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Galvin & William Byansi & Lesley Chiwaye & Zoleka Luvuno & Aneesa Moolla, 2023. "Pathways to care among patients with mental illness at two psychiatric facilities in Johannesburg, South Africa," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 69(8), pages 2059-2067, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:69:y:2023:i:8:p:2059-2067
    DOI: 10.1177/00207640231188037
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mona Ibrahim Awaad & Nesreen Mohsen Ibrahim & Rehab Mohamed Naguib & Sherien Ahmed Khalil & Mahmoud Elhabiby & Zainab Khaled Mohamed, 2020. "Role of traditional healers in the pathway to care of patients with schizophrenia in Egypt," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 66(4), pages 382-388, June.
    2. Felix Kauye & Michael Udedi & Chitsanzo Mafuta, 2015. "Pathway to care for psychiatric patients in a developing country: Malawi," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 61(2), pages 121-128, March.
    3. Jonathan K. Burns & Khatija Jhazbhay & Robin A. Emsley, 2011. "Causal attributions, pathway to care and clinical features of first-episode psychosis: A South African perspective," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 57(5), pages 538-545, September.
    4. S.M. Razali & M.A.M. Najib, 2000. "Help-Seeking Pathways Among Malay Psychiatric Patients," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 46(4), pages 281-289, December.
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