Assessment of prevalence and predictive factors of perceived Stigma among clients with mental illness attending mental health clinics in Lilongwe district
Loading...
Date
2022-08-17
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Abstract
This study will be a cross-sectional, quantitative and descriptive design that will assess the
prevalence and predictive factors of perceived stigma among clients with mental illness
attending mental health clinics in Lilongwe district.
Problem Statement
Stigmatized persons may internalize perceived prejudices and develop negative feelings about
themselves (Tesfaw et al., 2020). This can be manifested by decreased self-esteem and
increased depression and a person with internalized stigma may feel shame and embarrassment
about having mental illness (Latalova et al., 2014). This can impact on how mental health
service users utilize mental health service (Mascayano et al., 2020). However, the magnitude
of perceived stigma among clients who attend outreach mental health services in Lilongwe is
not known. Intervention of perceived stigma among mental health service users can be possible
and meaningful when factors that contribute to the perceived stigma are known. In the case of
Lilongwe health office, it is not known which factors are associated with perceived stigma
among mental health service users.
Studies done in Africa, such as Ethiopia have explored the prevalence of perceived stigma but
factors such as medical or clinical have not been explored. Furthermore, more studies have
been conducted on different population rather than clients themselves to explore the magnitude
of perceived stigma (Bifftu & Dachew, 2014). This study therefore assesses the prevalence and
predictive factors of perceived stigma among clients with mental illness accessing mental
health services at mental health clinics in Lilongwe.
Objectives of the study
Broad objectives of the study
The broad objective of this study is to assess the prevalence and predictive factors of perceived
stigma among clients with mental illness attending mental health clinics, Lilongwe district.
Specific objectives of the study
The specific objectives of the study are to;
1. Measure the prevalence of perceived stigma among clients with mental illness in
Mental health clinics in Lilongwe
2. Determine social factors associated with perceived stigma among illness in mental health clinics in Lilongwe
3. Determine clinical/medical factors associated with perceived stigma among clients with
mental illness in Mental health clinics in Lilongwe
Methodology
This study will use mental health clinics which are, facility based (1) and mobile outreach
clinics (5), quantitative cross-sectional study using systematic random sampling technique in
assessing the prevalence and predictive factors of perceived stigma. Data collection will be
conducted for two months with a sample size of two hundred and sixty-one (261). Data will
be collected by the Principal Investigator and the research assistants with the use of adopted
data collection questionnaire developed in English version and translated into Chichewa
version. Data will be analyzed by use of statistical package of social sciences version 22.
Expected Findings
The study will document the prevalence of perceived stigma and predictive social,
clinical/medical factors associated with perceived stigma.
Dissemination of Findings
The report of this study will be submitted to Lilongwe District Health Office, Kamuzu
University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), College of Medicine Research and Ethics Committee
(COMREC), Ministry of Health, Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health department.
The findings will be published in reputable peer reviewed journals and presented at conferences
Description
Keywords
Stigma among mental health patients