Gender Differentials In The Perception And Treatment Of Mental Illness Among The Yoruba Of Ogun State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Mental health is an important and indispensable constituent of health which determines the capacity of an individual to consciously live a meaningful and stable life. Mental illness presents a lot of challenges especially in developing nations, Nigeria inclusive. There are various cultural factors that influence the perceptions of people about mental illness. Although studies exist on the perceptions and treatment of mental illness, little attention has been paid to gender differences. This study, therefore, examined gender differentials in the perception and treatment of mental illness among the Yoruba people of Ogun State, Nigeria. Labelling and African Feminist theories provided the theoretical framework. The research design was a cross-sectional survey of communities and four neuropsychiatric hospitals in Ogun State, purposively selected based on the location of the first generation psychiatric hospital in Nigeria. Qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection were triangulated. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select three Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the study area based on the presence of psychiatric hospitals. Through proportionate sample size distribution to the LGAs, nine hundred and sixty seven (967) adults aged 18 years and above were randomly selected. Five In-depth Interviews were conducted among caregivers of people living with mental illness (PLWMI) (those who are receiving treatment and those who have recovered) and nineteen Key Informant Interviews were conducted among orthodox practitioners (psychiatrists and social workers) and traditional healers that reside in the study area. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi square at p