PTION ABOUT GENERAL AWARNESS OF M

SIF NAZIR (GL)

QUE

 ABSTRACT:
Background:
Although the benefits of public awareness of physical disease is widely accepted
but the knowledge about mental disease has been comparatively neglected.

Objective:
To assess the perception & attitude of mental illness among general population of
KARACHI

Methodology:
A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample size of 400 people, sample was
taken through non-probability purposive method and from all the five districts of
Karachi and people of different walks of life; Medical students, engineering
students, school students, doctors & drivers. The study was conducted within a
period of 08 months ranging from March to October 2014.Pilot study was
conducted to assess the validity of questionnaire, a structured questionnaire was
then distributed and got filled. SPSS version 16 was used for data entry with 95%
confidence interval, margin of error 5% and P-value 0.05
as statistically significant.

Result:
knowledge mental illness among general public was quite poor and suggests the
need for strong emphasis on public education to increase mental health literacy.

Conclusion:
an increase in mental health literacy in the population may assist prevention, early
intervention, and support of others in the community.

Keywords:
perception + general awareness +attitude + mental
illness.

INTRODUCTION:
Throughout the world, there is increasing awareness of mental illness as a
significant cause of morbidity. People with a mental illness can be among the most
disadvantaged in society, and many confront barriers as a direct result of their
illness. Cognitive and communication impairments may pose challenges, while
stigma and discriminatory attitudes can be worse than the illness itself.
Discrimination and stigma can create barriers to recovery for people with mental
illness. Peoples beliefs and attitudes toward mental illness set the stage for how
they interact with, provide opportunities for, and help support a person with mental
illness. Attitudes and beliefs about mental illness are shaped by personal
knowledge, knowing and interacting with someone living with mental illness,
cultural stereotypes, and other factors.
Stigma has been described as "a cluster of negative attitudes and beliefs that
motivate the general public to fear, reject, avoid, and discriminate against people
with mental illnesses" . When stigma leads to social exclusion or discrimination,
whether from mental illness or some other condition, it results in unequal access to
resources that all people need to function well, adversely affecting quality of life
This report examines individual attitudes toward mental illness to highlight
subgroups that might benefit from educational programs and services.

METHODOLOGY:
A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample size of 400 people, sample was
taken through non-probability purposive method and from all the five districts of
Karachi and people of different walks of life; Medical students, engineering

students, school students, doctors & drivers. The study was conducted within a
period of 08 months ranging from March to October 2014.Pilot study was
conducted to assess the validity of questionnaire, a structured questionnaire was
then distributed and got filled. SPSS version 16 was used for data entry with 95%
confidence interval, margin of error 5% and P-value 0.05
as statistically significant.

RESULT:
Out of 400 PARTICIPANTS, 67% (p=0.000) of the people believed
that mentally ill people were harmful which agreement to medical
viewpoint. 89% (p=0.000) of the people believed that mental
illness could affect relationship between patient and family. This
however was true as people try to refrain from them.72.5%
(p=0.012) of the people believed that our society did not accept
mentally ill people. This was due to general perception that these
people could cause harm to humans and their assets. 87.5%
(p=0.001) of the people believed that mentally ill people needed
help from their family and acquaintances. Receiving love and
affection from people closer to heart helped in early recovery.
88% (p=0.000) of the people believed that mental health was
important for a healthy perfect life. 84% (0.002) of the people
believed that the negative attitude of society or family will hinder
the recovery of mentally ill persons.

FREQUENCY TABLE
S.

QUESTION PROMPT

YES

NO%

MEAN

P-

CI 95%

VALUE
S

UPPERRA
NGE

LOWERRA
NGE

It is caused by evil
spirits (BHOOT)?

21.2

74.5

0.004

2.306

1.354

These patients are

harmful?

67

24.8

0.000

1.441

1.37

Mental illnesses can

effects relationship
between patients &
family members?

89.0

6.0

1.83

0.000

1.184

1.136

Do you think mental

illness is a disease
(bimari)?

82.2

13.5

1.41

0.001

1.245

1.195

Do you think marriage

can treat the mental
illness?

21.0

61.2

1.16

0.004

2.001

1.939

Do you think
society/family
NEGATIVE attitude can
affect recovery of
mentally ill person?

84.0

11.0

1.22

0.002

1.235

1.185

Do you think it is A
serious problem?

83.2

10.5

1.97

0.002

1.257

1.203

Mental health is
important for
healthy life?

88.0

7.2

1.4

0.000

1.297

1.246

Our society accepts

these patients?

17.2

72.5

1.23

0.012

1.982

1.878

10

Should govt. take

these issues
seriously?

79.8

12.0

0.001

1.31

1.25

 FREQUENCY ABOUT GENERAL AWARENCE

OF PUBLIC ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS.
GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION :
1. Do you think it is caused by evil spirits (BHOOT)?

2. DO U THINK THESE PATIENTS ARE HARMFUL?

3. Do you think parents fight affect childrens mental health?

4. Do you think mental illness is a disease (bimari)?

5. Do you think marriage can treat the mental illness?

6. Do you think society/family NEGATIVE attitude can affect recovery of mentally

ill person?

7. Do YOU THINK THESE PEOPLE NEED OUR HELP?

8. Do you think it is A serious problem?

9. Do you think mental health is important for healthy perfect life?

10. Do you think OUR SOCIETY ACCEPTS THESE PATIENTS?

11. SHOULD GOVT. TAKE THESE ISSUES SERIOUSLY?

 DISCUSSION;
The study has been confined out to assess the level of perception and attitude of
general public towards mentally ill people. . Our sample contained a higher
proportion of university graduates than the population as a whole. [1]
This baseline survey has shown that there is a high level of contact with people
with mental health problems which may reflect a high prevalence of disorder, poor
services or the community's acceptance of mentally ill people, or a combination of
all three, and warrants further investigation. [1]
Social perceptions of mental health problem s are dominated by negative
stereotypes. [2]Attitudes and beliefs concerning mental health are influenced by a
lack of knowledge as well as a mix of traditional and modern views. [3]People
with mental health problems might be seen solely in terms of their health
problems, regardless of their overall contribution to society, and may be seen as
incompetent and dependent on others. [2] The finding that people with low
education levels had a more positive attitude towards mental illnesses than did
respondents with higher education levels is in contradiction with many studies
suggesting that positive attitudes towards mental patients are related to higher
education levels. Thus, more knowledge of mental illnesses seems to decrease the
willingness to engage in social relationships with mentally ill people. [3]
Attitudes towards mental illness are very mixed, with large proportions of the
population holding stigmatizing attitudes towards people with mental illness in
relation to treatment, work, marriage and recovery. The majority put the blame on
the afflicted individual, avoided contact with them and would not openly discuss
their own psychological problems. [1] Individuals with mental health problems
have much lower rates of employment than the general population, despite their
willingness to work. This may be due to the greater levels of stigma and prejudice
they face. [2]
On the other hand, the population did have a fairly reasonable understanding of the
etiology of mental illness, citing genetic factors, negative life events, brain disease
and substance abuse as key causes although evil spirits were also viewed as major
factors., Understanding of the nature of mental illness, its implications for social
participation and management remains negative in general. However the majority
accept patients' rights and the view that patients can be managed outside hospital,

admit that the services at the PHC level are poor and would welcome developing
such services. Social distance was associated with higher educational level,
wanting to hide a mental illness problem from the family and not wanting to allow
a person with mental illness to take their own decisions. [1]
REFERENCES:
[1]: Public perception of mental health in Iraq
Sabah Sadik1, Marie Bradley2, Saad Al-Hasoon1 and Rachel Jenkins3*
[2]: Countering the stigmatization and discrimination of people with mental health problems in
Europe. by David McDaid.
[3]: Perceptions of Mental Health and Help-Seeking Behavior in an Urban Community in
Vietnam: An Explorative Study.
Lia van der Ham,corresponding author1 Pamela Wright,2 Thang Vo Van,3 Vuong D. K. Doan,3
and Jacqueline E. W. Broerse1

CONCLUSION:
After conducting a thorough research on perception and awareness on
mental health it is concluded that general public is highly aware of pros and
cons of the disease. They are also aware about medical treatment,
behavioral therapy and cognitive support to be given to the mentally ill
patients. It is however established that general public understanding about
the disease is in-line with medical sciences standpoint.

REFERENCES:

1)
Mass Media and Mental Illness: A Literature Review Prepared by Dara Roth
Edney, MSW.

2) Labelingstereotype discrimination
Herbert Matschinger,

3) The views and experiences of severely mentally ill mothers Dr. Angeles Diaz-Caneja
Sonia Johnson)

4)

by Prof. Dr. Matthias C. Angermeyer,

How StigmaInterferes With Mental Health Care.Corrigan, Patrick

American Psychologist, Vol 59(7), Oct 2004, 614-625.

5)

6)
Violence by people with mental illness: A consensus statement by advocates and
researchers. Monahan, John; Arnold, Jean

Mental Illness in Society Caroline Carney Doebbeling, MD, MSc

Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, Vol 19(4), 1996, 67-

70.

7) Perceived risks associated with mental illness: Beyond homicide and suicide
by:Tony Ryan

8)

9)

10) Dispelling the Myth of Violence and Mental Illness by: John M. Grohol, Psy.D.

11) mental health: a friend, a home, a job :by Dr. Taylor Alexander, Chief Executive Officer

12) Perception of the public towards the mentally ill in developed Asian country by
Siow
Ann Chong MBBS, Mmed, Swapna Verma MBBS, MD Janhavi Ajit Vaingankar
MSc,
Yiong Huak Chan PhD (Math), Lai Yin Wong BA (SocSc),
Bee Hoon
Heng MBBS, MSc (PH), FAMS)

Family Views of Stigma.W whall, Otto F.; Harman, Charles R

Persistent and Severely Mentally Ill Clients' Perceptions of Their Mental Illness by:
Barbara A. Vellenga, and Janell Christenson

13) Families of the Mentally Ill: Coping and Adaptation edited by Agnes B. Hatfield, Harriet P.
Lefley

14) Mental disorder and violent behavior: Perceptions and evidence.by: Monahan, John
American Psychologist, Vol 47(4), Apr 1992, 511-521.

15 ) Children's beliefs about people labeled mentally ill. Adler, Ann K.; Wahl, Otto F.
American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, Vol 68(2), Apr 1998, 321-326

15) labeling mental illnes by sarah rosenfield

16) Mental illness stigma: Concepts, consequences, and initiatives to reduce stigma by:Nicolas
Rsch, Matthias C. Angermeyer, Patrick W. Corrigan)

17) Familiarity with mental illness and social distance from people with schizophrenia and major
depression: testing a model using data from a representative population survey
By Matthias C AngermeyerHerbert Matschinge Patrick W Corrigan

18) Understanding the impact of stigma on people with mental illness by: PATRICK W CORRIGAN and AMY C
WATSON

19 Factors Influencing Social Distance Toward People with Mental Illness

Lauber, Carlos Nordt, Luis Falcato, Wulf Rssler

20) Perception and beliefs about mental illness among adults in Karfi village,
northern Nigeria by:Mohammed Kabir1, Zubair Iliyasu1, Isa S Abubakar1 and Muktar
H Aliyu

21)

Students' perception about mental illness

RK Mahto1, PK Verma2, AN Verma1, AR Singh3, S Chaudhury4, K Shantna

22 ) perception of nursing mentally ill people in a general hospital setting

by: Thandisizwe Redford Mavundla PhD

Christoph

23 ) contact with mentally ill and perception how dangerous they are : by bruce
G.Link and francis T.cullen

24) Familiarity With and Social Distance From People Who Have Serious Mental
Illness Patrick W. Corrigan, Psy.D.; Amy Green; Robert Lundin; Mary Ann Kubiak; David
L. Penn, Ph.D

25)
The growing belief that people with mental illnesses are violent: the role of the
dangerousness criterion for civil commitment
J. C. Phelan, B. G. Link

26) Public beliefs about and attitudes towards people with mental illness: a review of
population studies by:M. C. Angermeyer and S. Dietrich

27) The stigma of mental illness: effects of labelling on public attitudes towards people with
mental disorder by: M. C. Angermeyer and H. Matschinger

28

)Siever LJ. "Neurobiology of Aggression and Violence," American Journal of Psychiatry

QUESTIONNAIRE:
Name: Marital status: D.Matric E.More

Age: -

Gender:-

level of education:- A.Iliterate B.Primary C.Middle

Occupation:Telephone:House:-

Q#1: Do you think it is caused by evil spirits (BHOOT)?

a) Yes
b) No
Q#2: Do you think it is caused by Jin?
a)Yes
b)No
C)DNK

Q#3: Do you think these people goes in control of jinnat?

a)Yes
b)No
c)DNK
Q#4: Do you know if somebody is aggressive and by taking a tablet calms down?
a)YES
b)No
c)DNK
Q#5: Do you know somebody who can be easily irritated and get abusive?
a)Yes.
b)No
c)DNK
Q#6: Do you think these people are malingering to get attention?
a) Yes.
b) No.
c)DNK
Q#7: Do you think Moulvi,peer, Faqir and other people in shrine can treat these
patients?
a)Yes
b)No
c)DNK
Q#8: Do you think these people are harmful?
a)Yes
b)No
c)DNK

Q#9: Do you think parents fight affect childrens mental health?

a)Yes
b)No
c)DNK
Q#10: Do you think mental illness CAN effects relationship between patients and
family members?
a) Yes
b) No
c)DNK
Q#11: Do you think mental illness is a disease (bimari)?
a) Yes.
b) No
c)DNK
Q#12: Do you think these people be locked at HOME/HOSPITAL until they recovered?
a) Yes
b) No
c) DNK

Q#13: Do you think marriage can treat the mental illness?

a) Yes
b) No
c)DNK
Q#14: Do you think Females are more affected than Males?
a) Yes
b) No

c) DNK
Q#15: Do you think these patients should be in Mental hospital/Pagalkhana?
a) Yes
b) No
c)DNK
Q#16: Do you think mental illness is treatable?
a) Yes
b) No
c) DNK
Q#17: Do you think society/family NEGATIVE attitude can affect recovery of mentally
ill person?
a) Yes
b) No
c)DNK
Q#18: Do you think poorness(ghurbat) makes a man mentally ill?
a)Yes
b)No
c)DNK
Q#19: DO you think walking during sleep is a mental issue?
a) Yes
b)No
c)DNK
Q#20: Do you think these people need our help?
a) Yes
b) No

c)DNK
Q#21: Do you think it is A serious problem?
a) Yes
b) No
c)DNK
Q#22: Do you think mental health is important for healthy perfect life?
a)Yes.
b)No
c)DNK
Q#23: Will you continue your relation with him/her normally?
a) Yes
b) No
c) DNK
Q#24: Would you agree helping people with mental illness?
a) Yes
b) No
Q#25: Do you think our society accepts these patients?
a) Yes
b) No
C)DNK
Q#26: Do you think mental illness is same ad DIABETES/HYPERTENSION?
a) Yes
b) No
c)DNK
Q#27: Do you think we should be sympathetic(Rahemdil) to these patients?

a)Yes
b)No
c)DNK
Q#28: Should Government take these issues seriously?
a)Yes
b)No
c)DNK
Q#29: Do you know any GOVT. Awarenes Program on this problem?
a)Yes
b)No
c)DNK

GANTTS CHART;
TASK
Research
proposal
Literature
review
Questionn
aire
constructi
on
Pilot
study
Data
collection
Data
analysis
Research
writing
Research
submissio
n

MAR
CH

APR MA
IL
Y

JUN JUL AUGU

E
Y
ST

SEPTEM
BER

OctOB
ER

Letter of recommendation:
GROUP A2(4th year smc) perception
about general awarence of mental
illness.
S. NO

NAME

ROLL SIGN.
NO.

01

MUHAMMAD ASIF NAZIR (GL)

254

02

HADIQA SIDDIQUE

187

03

HASSAN JAMAL

354

04

AYESHA JABEEN

38

05

FARWA ANJUM

71

06

SABIKA AFTAB

357

07

NAZIA HASHMI

352

08

AMSA KHAN

159

09

MADIHA JAMEEL

352

10

MISHA WAMIQ

11

HIBA NADEEM

360

12

RIMSHA

131

13

MARIUM KHAN

113

14

MARIA EJAZ

69

We group A2, students of 4th year SMC (JSMU)

declare that the study and literature of our
research is not copied from any previous research
of any student or from any other source. It has
been conducted and compiled by our group A2..