A Study to Assess the Knowledge on Mental Illness

 

Dr. Sampoornam. W

Associate Professor, Mental Health Nursing Department, The Tamilnadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai

Dhanvantri College of Nursing, Pallakkapalayam, Namakkal. Tamilnadu, India

 

ABSTRACT:

Mental illness is a significant contributor to global disease burden and this is expected to increase over the coming decades. Widespread educational campaigns need to be implemented across the region, designed to both increase knowledge about mental illness and reduce discrimination towards persons suffering with mental illness. Aim: This article focus on the estimation of knowledge on mental illness. Methods: Non experimental descriptive research design was selected for the present study. Random sampling technique was used to select 30 samples from Allinayakanpalayam village at Namakkal. Self evaluated rating scale was used to assess the knowledge on mental illness. Results: Most of the subjects had inadequate knowledge on mental illness. The estimated mean score of the knowledge was 26 + 4.63. No significant association was found between knowledge scores and age, gender, education, religion, occupation.

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

The knowledge about mental illness was inconsistent, but important gaps were evident, particularly with respect to the symptoms of specific disorders (Otto Wahl, 2012). Mental health literacy has received increasing attention as a useful strategy to promote early identification of mental disorders, reduce stigma and enhance help-seeking behaviors. However, despite the abundance of research on mental health literacy interventions, there is the absence of evaluations of current available mental health literacy measures and related psychometrics (Yifeng Wei, 2015).

 

 

Significant shortcomings in knowledge and attitude pertaining to psychiatric disorders were more glaring in the initial years of education (G. Aruna, 2016).

 

METHODS: 

Descriptive research design was used in this study. Random sampling technique was used to select 30 samples from Allinayakanpalayam village at Namakkal. Subjects with age above 18 years were included in the study and participants with hearing disability and mentally challenged were excluded from the study. Structured interview schedule comprises of the demographic characteristics like age, gender, education, religion and occupation.  Self evaluated rating scale was used to assess the knowledge on mental illness. Prior to data collection permission was obtained from the president and ward member of Allinayakanpalayam village at Namakkal. Frequencies, percentage, mean, standard deviation and chi square test was used for analyzing the data.

 

RESULTS:    

Demographic data according to the age group delineates that highest percentage (70%) were between 40-60 years. Gender depicts that 60% were males and 40% were female subjects. According to education, highest percentages (60%) had completed their schooling. Majority 60% of the subjects were Hindus. Demographic data according to the occupation revealed that majority 70% were collie workers.

 

Table 1: Frequency and percentage distribution of level of knowledge on mental illness

Level of knowledge	Frequency	Percentage
Adequate	4	13%
Moderate	8	27%
Inadequate	18	60%

 

Table 1 portrayed that only 13% of the subjects had adequate knowledge regarding mental illness, whereas 27% had moderate knowledge on mental illness and however 60% of the participants had inadequate knowledge on mental illness.

 

The estimated mean score of the knowledge was 26 + 4.63. No significant association was found between knowledge scores and age, gender, education, religion, occupation.

 

DISCUSSION:

Most of the subjects had inadequate knowledge on mental illness. This result was highly supported by the report of knowledge on mental illness among the general public was quite poor and suggests the need for strong emphasis on public education to increase mental health literacy among general public to increase awareness and positive attitude of people towards mental illness (Ganesh K, 2011).     

 

CONCLUSION:

Public are highly obliged to know about the mental illness, its severity, treatment and referral services available in India.     

 

REFERENCES:

1.      G. Aruna, Perception, knowledge, and attitude toward mental disorders and psychiatry among medical undergraduates in Karnataka: A cross-sectional study. Indian J Psychiatry. 2016 Jan-Mar; 58(1): 70–76.

2.      Ganesh K. Knowledge and Attitude of Mental Illness among General Public of Southern India. National Journal of Community Medicine 2011 Volume 2 Issue 1. 175-8

3.      Otto Wahl.  Knowledge and Attitudes about Mental Illness: A Survey of Middle School Students. Psychiatric Services. Volume 63. Issue 7. July 2012. Pages 649-654 

4.      Yifeng Wei. Mental health literacy measures evaluating knowledge, attitudes and help-seeking: a scoping review. BMC Psychiatry. 2015; 15: 291.

 

 

 

 

Received on 05.02.2019         Modified on 28.02.2019

Accepted on 20.03.2019      ©A&V Publications All right reserved