A survey of the mental healthcare systems in five Francophone countries in West Africa: Bénin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Niger and Togo.

Journal: International psychiatry : bulletin of the Board of International Affairs of the Royal College of Psychiatrists

Volume: 11

Issue: 3

Year of Publication: 

Affiliated Institutions:  Coordinateur, Programme National de Santé Mentale, Hôpital National de Niamey, Niger. Senior Mental Health Advisor, CBM International West Africa Regional Office, Lomé, Togo, email julian.eaton@cbm-arow.org.

Abstract summary 

Sub-Saharan Africa has a wide mental health treatment gap, with low levels of access to mental health services. This paper presents the findings of systematic situation analyses carried out in five Francophone countries in West Africa, which are among the poorest in the world. The findings showed low levels of budgetary allocation to mental health, poor health infrastructure (especially at primary level) and unequal distribution of human and financial resources. In this challenging context, there are signs of reform of services, based on international best-practice guidelines and practical considerations such as decentralisation of services, task-sharing and strengthening stakeholder skills to advocate for change.

Authors & Co-authors:  Maiga Eaton

Study Outcome 

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Statistics
Citations :  Cohen, A., Eaton, J., Radtke, B., et al. (2011) Three models of community mental health services in low-income countries. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 5, 3.
Authors :  2
Identifiers
Doi : 
SSN : 1749-3676
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Other Terms
Study Design
Study Approach
Country of Study
Niger
Publication Country
England