Perceptions and Beliefs about Mental Illness (Schizophrenia) among Adults in Zaare Community (original) (raw)
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ARC Journal of Public Health and Community Medicine, 2016
Community attitude and perception towards mental illness play a major role in successful treatment and social reintegration of people with mental health problems. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitude and perception of the community towards mental illness in Dodoma Municipality. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select a sample size of 384 from the study population. A descriptive cross-section study was employed and semi-structured questionnaire were used in this study. The results showed that most of participants 85.9% (n=330) had poor knowledge about mental illness. Fifty one percent (n=196) could not identify any type of illness, 58.9% (n=226) connoted negative attitude towards persons with mentally illness. Moreover 75.8% (n=291) of these had poor perceptions about mental illness. Poor knowledge, perception and negative attitude still prevail despite the fact that there is a National Mental Hospital located in Dodoma Municipality, Tanzania.
Community Perceptions on Mental Illness in Bungoma County, Kenya
Objective. The objective of the study was to evaluate the perceptions towards mental illness and the mentally ill by the community in Bungoma County, Kenya. Design. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study and Quantitative methods were adopted. Setting. The study was carried out in Bungoma County Sample. Five Sub-Counties in Bungoma County were purposively sampled to increase the representation. The household's heads were sampled by stratified sampling; the researcher divided the population into strata and drew a predetermined number using simple random sampling (n = 396) Analysis. Data wasanalyzed through descriptive statistics and regression. Main outcome measures. Attitude towards the mentally ill Results. From the results, 69.7% (276) of the respondents think the mentally ill are a burden to the society. Majority of the respondents 67.7 % (268) agreed that the best therapy for many of the mental patients is to be part of the normal community.The results showed that 69 % (272) disagreed that virtually anyone can become mentally ill. From the results 66.7% (264) agreed that it is frightening to think of people with mental problems living in a residential neighbourhood.Majority 260 (65.7%) agreed that the mentally ill should not be given any responsibilities.Regression model results indicated that the two predictors: a) attitude and b) knowledge of mental illness and mental health, explained 34.4% of the variance (F [2, 369] = 24.713, p < 0.05, R 2 = .344), equating to a medium effect size. Regression analyses found that predictor variables perception (β = .19, p < 0.05) significantly predicted increased likelihood that participants would stigmatize people with mental illness. Conclusion. The study findings established that there is negative perception by members of the community of Bungoma County towards the mentally ill persons. Recommendation. The study recommends that sensitization of the community/ public on mental illnesses is important in Bungoma County. Scaling up public awareness campaigns to reach more people by diversifying the approaches targeting specific group of family members having mentally ill persons.
A Study of Stigma, Discrimination and Reintegration of Mentally Ill Persons in Ghana
2021
Mental health is the foundation of human capability that makes each life worthwhile and meaningful. There has been great progress in mental healthcare in Ghana over the years but too many people are still left behind from reintegration into society after recovery due to discrimination and stigma. In order to harness the full potential of the human resource, there is the need to reintegrate all treated mental health persons. It is for this reason that the Christian Health Association of Ghana which operates over 280 healthcare institutions in Ghana is seeking to deconstruct the way mental healthcare is delivered. The programme seeks to shift from institutional care to community-based care involving interventions by health professionals, peers and key members of the community. The purpose of this study was to gauge knowledge and attitude to stigma, discrimination, and community-based mental healthcare. The country was divided into three zones; coastal, middle and northern. From each zone, an urban and a rural site were selected. Using mixed method approach, qualitative data from caregivers and religious leaders was purposively generated while quantitative data from Junior High School students and nurses was randomly collected. Results showed that age, ethnicity, education, religious affiliation, and occupation were some of the key variables which influence reintegration of treated mentally ill persons. The study concludes that stigma and discrimination against the mentally treated person is a complex issue which needs multifaceted and multidisciplinary approach including community and home care to solving it.
Community Perception towards Mental Illness among Residents of Gimbi Town, Western Ethiopia
Psychiatry Journal, 2016
Background. Despite the increased burden of mental health problem, little is known about knowledge and perception of the public towards mental health problems in Ethiopia. Methods. Community based cross-sectional study was conducted among selected 845 Gimbi town residents from May 28 to June 28, 2014. Results. Out of the total study participants, 304 (37.3%) were found to have poor perception (a score below mean five semantic differential scales for positive questions and above mean for negative questions) of mental illness. Being above 28 years of age (AOR = 0.48 CI (0.23, 0.78)), private workers (AOR = 0.41 CI (0.19, 0.87)), and lack of mental health information were found to be associated with poor perception of mental illness (AOR = 0.133 CI (0.09, 0.20)). Absence of family history of mental illness was also found to be associated with poor perception of mental illness (AOR = 0.37 CI (0.21, 0.66)). Conclusions. Significant proportions of the community in Gimbi town were found to...
The study examined the public attitude towards person with mental illness: A case study of Amassoma Community, Bayelsa State. Objective: The study set out to assess the perception and misconceptions of the community about mental illness. Methodology: Data were collected with the aid of questionnaire from 500 participants from 20 compounds using convenient sampling technique regardless of occupation, gender, marital status or educational qualification but the participants must not be below 18 years of age. The data were analyzed using frequency distribution, simple percentages and chi-square method of statistical analysis. Results: The results revealed that majority (57.4%) of the participants were stereotyping, 29.5% agreed with stigmatization of mentally ill of which 55% were females. Conclusion: Public enlightenment on mental health-mental illness must be urgently embarked upon to change their negative views about mental illness and every effort to reduce the patients' stigmatization should be done so that the patients can have sense of worth and belongingness.
Stigma towards mental illness and the mentally ill in a rural community in Kenya
2007
Introduction Stigma is a mark of disgrace or discredit that sets a person aside from others. It is a term of prejudice based on negative stereotyping. It is based on the perception of a difference which is ultimately linked to negative traits. The stigma of severe mental illness exacerbates the patients' burden caused by the illness. It plays a negative role at every stage of the illness from presentation and diagnosis to treatment and outcome. It makes many people reluctant to seek help and less likely to cooperate with treatment and slows recovery. Because of this, The Mental Health act (1989) established The Kenya Board of Mental Health to among other objectives, address mental health related stigma. Objective To obtain information on the current level of knowledge, attitude and practices regarding mental health in the general population in Kenya. This study aims at generating information in this field with special focus on stigma in the general population to fill the current...
International Journal of Health Sciences and Research, 2014
Background: The study examined the public attitude towards person with mental illness: A case study of Amassoma Community, Bayelsa State. Objective: The study set out to assess the perception and misconceptions of the community about mental illness. Methodology: Data were collected with the aid of questionnaire from 500 participants from 20 compounds using convenient sampling technique regardless of occupation, gender, marital status or educational qualification but the participants must not be below 18 years of age. The data were analyzed using frequency distribution, simple percentages and chi-square method of statistical analysis. Results: The results revealed that majority (57.4%) of the participants were stereotyping, 29.5% agreed with stigmatization of mentally ill of which 55% were females. Conclusion: Public enlightenment on mental health-mental illness must be urgently embarked upon to change their negative views about mental illness and every effort to reduce the patients' stigmatization should be done so that the patients can have sense of worth and belongingness.