Assesment of Knowledge, Atitude, Health Seeking Behaviour and Associted Factors towards Mental Illness; in Gondar Town

Abstract

 

In Ethiopia mental illness is becoming a major public health problem. However, little is known about knowledge and attitude of the public towards mental health problems. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude, health seeking behaviour and associated factors related to mental health problems.

This cross-sectional survey was conducted in 864 subjects by using structured which supplemented by qualitative data, March 2011, Gondar town.  Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression were utilized to see the clear picture and association between outcome and explanatory variables. 

  A total of 864 subjects were participated in the study which gives response rate of 97.8%.  Mean age was 34.1.Most of the respondents were female (65.9%), grade 9-12 (36.8%), orthodox Christian (73.4%) and Amhara (89%). 65% of the respondents have good knowledge. 87.4% of them has negative attitude and 56.4 respondents have good health seeking behaviour. In multivariate analysis, age [AOR=1.91,CI(1.20-3.05)], getting information from mass medias[AOR=1.39,CI(1.03-1.88)] and getting information from religious institution [AOR=0.56, CI(0.36-0.88)] were found in strong association with knowledge. Age Between 35-44[AOR=2.5, CI(1.17-5.71)] and good knowledge [AOR=1.94,CI(1.14-3.29)] were significantly associated with Attitude. Health seeking behaviour were affected positively by being educated[AOR=1.98,CI(1.17-3.37)],Having Job[AOR=1.56,CI(1.16-2.11)],knowledge[AOR=1.39,CI(1.021.91)],attitude[AOR=2.1,CI(1.25-3.54)]and Having previous mental illness experience[AOR and CI=0.40,(0.22-0.73)] were found in strong association with health seeking behaviour.

 public knowledge about mental health problem is fairly good. Attitude of respondents towards mental illness and mentally ill people is significantly negative. The community has good health seeking behaviour related. Knowledge, attitude and health seeking behaviour of the community is associated with age, educational level, occupation and their sources of mental health information. The outcome variables also associate each other. To change attitude of the community educating people about mental health problems by using mass Medias is vital.

 Keywords: knowledge, Attitude, Behaviour, Mental illness