| Description |
Prior to attempting a descriptive study focused on the identification of Organic Brain Syndrome in an aging population in Senegal, West Africa, an indepth literature review was accomplished. The review included information about: Organic Brain Syndrome, memory and orientation, development of tools to test mental status and ethnographic investigation into an existing country of Senegal, West Africa. A questionnaire was designed to determine if: 1. Senegalese Africans exhibit symptoms OBS, 2. the course of the disease differs in Senegalese Africans compared to American aged, 3. a difference exists in health care provided by French physicians and Senegalese physicians residing in Senegal, West Africa, and 4. there is a need for a tool designed to measure mental status that will take into account cultural backgrounds of patients. African physicians residing in Dakar, the capital city of Senegal, were requested to answer questions which would lend information about African elderly and there health care needs. The physicians were unable to answer the questionnaires provided to them, interesting data evolved. African elderly do not utilize more modern methods of health care. Chronic health problems are not seen in the clinical setting. The existence or absence of OBS in African society remains a mystery. |
