Stigma and Discrimination Among Patients with Mental Illness in Selected Mental Health Centers in Kampala District.

ABSTRACT

This was a cross-sectional quantitative study. Self-administered questionnaires we re distributed to the public and nurses working in health facilities that measured knowledge, attitudes and behavior towards individuals living with mental illness, in addition to their familiarity with a person with mental illness. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the extent to which stigma was reported in this population. Sixty-three (63) respondents participated in the study. Most of the participants identified schizophrenia as an SMI; however 79% considered stress to be mental illness and only a quarter of respondents scored above 80% on knowledge about mental illness. Most of the participants believed that psychotherapy was the most effective treatment for mental disorders. The public & nurses were benevolent (mean 3,06. standard deviation 0.29) and showed acceptance towards mental health services and individuals living with mental illness in the community (mean 3,56, standard deviation 0.30) however the nurses tended towards authoritarianism (mean 3.74, standard deviation 0.34) and social restrictiveness (mean 2.98, standard deviation 0.27). Level of contact with individuals living with mental illness predicted community mental health ideology and authoritarianism. No demographic variables were associated with level of knowledge using MAKS score and intended behavior using RIBS tool.