Read more
Despite that more than 10% of the world's population has a disability and has been associated with risk of developing psychiatric illnesses, the link between depressive illness among PWDLWA in resource limited settings such as Kenya's is poorly understood. Over70% of persons with disabilities (PWD) live in developing countries, with 3.5% of Kenya's population experiencing at least one form of disability. Majority of PWD in Kenya reside in rural settings, with Nyanza Province having the highest prevalence of 5.6%. Poverty is a determinant of mental disorders, and without support, sufferers and their families, are likely to fall into the vicious circle of poverty and mental disorder. HIV infection rate among deaf individuals is twice that of the surrounding hearing population. In developed countries PWDLWA often suffer from depression and anxiety disorders as they adjust to the HIV diagnosis. In the United States over 36% and 16% of PWDLWA have depression and anxiety disorders respectively. In most resource limited settings, PWD have received little attention as a key population at risk of exposure to HIV/AIDS and related depressive illnesses.
About the author
I am a clinical psychologist worked in Government Parastatal as a Senior Accountant/Staff Counselor.I took part in giving psychological first Aid to the Westgate attack victims in Nairobi,Kenya through the Kenya Red Cross.Have experience in BID,Core Professional Training on Humanitarian Law.
