The prevalence of major depressive episode is 12% in the general population and 35% among Genocide survivors who were interviewed.
Moreover, the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is 3.6% in the general population and 27.9 among Genocide survivors.
The survey was conducted for the first time this year by the Ministry of Health, National Commission for the Fight against Genocide and the Ministry of Culture and Sport, aimed at assessing the status of mental problems in the country, as well as the issue of trauma among genocide survivors.
RMHS is also aimed at estimating the prevalence rates of mental disorders in the Rwandan population, identify risk factors associated with common mental disorders, assess knowledge and utilization of mental health services by the general population.
The study also looked at the status of the role of drug abuse in causing mental problems in the country and establish how Rwandan citizens stand in the knowledge of services and institutions in charge of providing assistance in case of mental illnesses and how they consult them.
It indicated that about 4% of respondents aged 14-35 exhibited.symptoms of trauma when the research was bei
ng conducted.
For genocide survivors, the number of cases was high where 27% of the respondents aged between24 and 65 had symptoms of trauma.
As regards depression, about 12% of Rwandans aged 14-35 interviewed, had the illness, while 35% of the genocide survivors aged 24-65 interviewed, suffered from trauma.
Previous surveys had shown that between 11 and 44% of Rwandans have trauma related-problems, while those suffering from depression are estimated to be between 15.5 and 5.3%.
Head of Mental Health Department at Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), Yvonne Kayiteshonga, said that despite the abuse of various types of drugs in Rwanda, there is still something to be proud of.
“We may be proud that the number of people suffering from mental illnesses as a result of drug abuse is very small, less than 0.3%, while in the case of genocide survivors, they are 1.3%,” she noted.
Jean Ruzindaza, director of the Unit of Advocacy for genocide Survivors Representative of the department for the genocide survivors’ advocacy at CNLG Jean Ruzindaza said that the findings of this study are not surprising.
“It is not surprising that there are some issues related to depression and trauma among survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis. It is clear that they have mental health problems that the genocide against the Tutsi inflicted on them. We will continue doing advocacy to enable them to access basic health care,” he said.
The survey showed that Gasabo District has the majority of people with mental issues 36.7%, while Nyabihu District has the minority with 5.8%.
The Ministry of Health states that there are measures in place such as increasing the number of expert doctors, psychiatrists, as well as those trained, from the level of health centers to hospitals.
Health extension workers will also be trained to help care for those with mental issues.
Figures released by the Health Organization (WHO) indicate that around the world, there are 450 million people suffering from mental disorders. On the African continent, about 17.9 million in 2015 had mental health problems.
The prevalence of major depressive episode is 12% in the general population and 35% among Genocide survivors who were interviewed. Prevalence of PTSD is 3.6% in the general population and 27.9% among #Genocide survivors.
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