Non-mental health workers’ attitudes and social distance towards people with mental illness in a Nigerian teaching hospital

• Main Authors: Olatunji F. Aina, O. Yewande Oshodi, Adebayo R. Erinfolami, Joseph D. Adeyemi, Tajudeen. F Suleiman
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: South Sudan Doctors' Association 2015-08-01
• Series: South Sudan Medical Journal
• Online Access: http://www.southsudanmedicaljournal.com/archive/august-2015/non-mental-health-workers-attitudes-and-social-distance-towards-people-with-mental-illness-in-a-nigerian-teaching-hospital.html

Background: Studies on attitudes towards mental health in Nigeria have been mainly community-based surveys. Objective: To determine the knowledge and attitudes towards mental illness (MI) of health workers in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital. Methods: A stratified sample of 256 health workers completed an Attitude to Mental Illness Questionnaire (AMIQ) designed for this study. Results: Most participants (62.1% to 80.9%) identified scientific factors such as genetic inheritance as causes of MI; 24.8% identified spiritual factors as potential causes. Effective methods of treatment identified by respondents include orthodox methods (84.6%) and a combination of traditional and orthodox management (37.8%). There were varying shades of negative attitudes towards mentally ill persons (MIPs). Conclusion: The health workers showed some degree of social distance to MIPs, and there is need for psycho-education to improve their knowledge in mental health.