Psychiatry in Ethiopia

Ethiopia, in the Horn of Africa, is one of the ancient independent nations of the world and has a rich diversity of peoples and cultures. The country covers 1.1 million km2 (Central Statistical Authority, 2000a). It has a population of about 70 million people (Central Statistical Authority, 2002), 80 different ethnic groups and some 200 dialects. Ethiopia is the second most populous nation in sub-Saharan Africa, after Nigeria (Hailemariam & Kloos, 1993). Forty-eight per cent of the population are under 15 years of age and over 80% live in rural areas (Central Statistical Authority, 1995). Islam and Christianity are the main religions.