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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 11/2007

01-11-2007 | ORIGINAL PAPER

Doctors’ attitude towards people with mental illness in Western Nigeria

Authors: Dr. Abiodun O. Adewuya, MBChB, Ayotunde A. Oguntade, MBChB

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 11/2007

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Abstract

Introduction

It had been suggested that those more knowledgeable about mental illness are less likely to endorse negative or stigmatizing attitudes. This study aimed to evaluate the attitude of doctors in Nigeria towards the mentally ill.

Methods

Medical doctors (n = 312) from eight selected health institutions in Nigeria completed various questionnaires on knowledge and attitude towards people with mental illness.

Results

Beliefs in supernatural causes were prevalent. The mentally ill were perceived as dangerous and their prognosis perceived as poor. High social distance was found amongst 64.1% and the associated factors include not having a family member/friend with mental illness (OR 7.12, 95% CI 3.71–13.65), age less than 45 years (OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.23–4.40), less than 10 years of clinical experience (OR 6.75, 95% CI 3.86–11.82) and female sex (OR 4.98, 95% CI 2.70–9.18).

Conclusion

Culturally enshrined beliefs about mental illness were prevalent among Nigerian doctors. A review of medical curriculum is needed and the present anti-stigma campaigns should start from the doctors.
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Metadata
Title
Doctors’ attitude towards people with mental illness in Western Nigeria
Authors
Dr. Abiodun O. Adewuya, MBChB
Ayotunde A. Oguntade, MBChB
Publication date
01-11-2007
Publisher
D. Steinkopff-Verlag
Published in
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 11/2007
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-007-0246-4

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