Ethnographic Insights into the Quality of Life and Experiences of People Living with Schizophrenia in Harare, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a complex and severe mental disorder affecting more than 20 million people worldwide. This study used focused ethnography to explore the everyday lives of 18 people living with schizophrenia in Zimbabwe and its impact on their quality of life (QOL). Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, observational fieldwork, and the short form of the World Health Organization QOL-BREF questionnaire. Those aged 20–40 years experienced poorer QOL than older people. Family dislocation, living with stigma and discrimination, cost of medications and limited and variable access to treatment and support disrupted participants’ ability to enjoy life and function socially.

Acknowledgment

We would like to acknowledge and thank the participants for their time and willingness to share their story, the Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe (MRCZ) for approving the study and making it possible, and the third parties who assisted with recruitment.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.