Depression in developing countries: lessons from Zimbabwe

Depression is one of the most important causes of morbidity and disability in developing countries. 1Zimbabwe, in common with other developing nations, has absolute poverty, economic reform programmes, limited public health services, widespread private and traditional healthcare services, civil unrest, cultural diversity, and sex inequality.We have conducted research on depression in Zimbabwe over the past 15 years, covering ethnographic and epidemiological studies in a range of populations.We compared our findings with research from other developing countries and with evidence from industrialised countries.In the context of developing countries we examined the validity of World Health Organization classifications and medical concepts of depression, the public health implications of depression, and the implications for clinical practice and research.