Common mental disorders among those attending primary health clinics and traditional healers in urban Tanzania.

Background: Traditional healers provide a popular and accessible service across the African continent. Little is known of the characteristics or mental health status of those using these services.

Aims: To determine and compare the prevalence of common mental disorder among, and the characteristics of, those attending primary health care clinics (PHCs) and traditional healer centres (THCs) in Dar-es-Salaam.