Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: January | Volume: 7 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 174-178
Assess the Knowledge, Attitude & Practices about Mental Illness among General Population
Manda Phuke1, Vaishali Mohite2, Avinash H. Salunkhe3, Sangeeta Patil4, Mulani Afsana5, Ujwala Mane1
1MSc (N) Clinical Instructor, Krishna institute of nursing sciences, KIMSDU Karad.
2Principal, Dept. Med. Surg. Nursing, Krishna Institute of Nursing Sciences, Karad.
3Vice Principal, Department - Community Health Nursing, Krishna Institute of Nursing Sciences Karad.
4MSc (N) Clinical Instructors Dept - Mental Health Nursing Krishna Institute of Nursing Sciences Karad.
5MSc (N) Clinical Instructors Department - Ob/ Gyn Nursing Krishna Institute of Nursing Sciences Karad.
Corresponding Author: Manda Phuke
ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the knowledge, attitude & practices about mental illness among general population.
Material & methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted on 60 participants recruited by non-probability convenient sampling method.
Results: Respondents were disagreed with few negative statements related to knowledge like (91.66%) referring a person for psychiatric evaluation is a form of punishment (83.33%) mentally ill person are inferior to others. only 5% respondents were agreed with mental illness could be caused by Black magic/curse/sins/punishment from god, 60% of the respondents were agreed with mentally ill person is every time violent & dangerous to others. There were high levels (83.33%) of agreement that mental health problems can be treated. Attitude towards mental illness is found positive among maximum respondents in this study. Most of the respondents shows non acceptance of a person with mental illness as marriage partner, as care taker for the child & as a work colleague.
Conclusion: there is need for strong emphasis on public education to increase awareness and positive attitude & practices of people towards mental illness.
Key words: Mental illness, knowledge, attitude, practices, general population.