Knowledge and conceptualisation of mental illness among the Muslim population in Harare, Zimbabwe

Religion is a powerful force in people's conception of mental illness. The extent to which Muslim populations in Zimbabwe understand and conceptualise mental illness is largely unknown. Thus, a descriptive cross-sectional study aimed at determining knowledge and conceptualisations of mental illness among Muslims was conducted in Harare. Seventy-one participants drawn from three mosques in Harare responded to self-administered questionnaires, which assessed their knowledge on causes, signs and symptoms as well as the treatment of mental illness. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Respondents defined mental illness within the social, spiritual and medical realms. The main perceived causes of mental illness were evil spirits (66%) and stress (62%). Treatment methods included medication (68%), prayer (66%) and Quranic verse recitations (64%). Both modern medicine and religious methods emerged as important in managing mental illness which suggests the need for a multi-sectoral approach.