Assessing the Knowledge Level, Perception and Attitude Towards Mental Illness at Duayaw Nkwanta in the Tano North District of Ghana

Abstract

Mental health problems are an increasing public health concern and remain generally under-reported. The aim of this research study was to assess the knowledge level, perception and attitude towards mental illness at Duayaw Nkwanta in the Tano North District of Ghana. A descriptive cross-sectional study was used for the study. Purposive and Snowball sampling techniques were used to select the study population and the sample size for the study was 40 respondents. The study findings revealed that considerable proportion of the people had poor knowledge regarding mental illness. All the respondents (100%) strongly agreed that they faced social stigma and discrimination and all the respondents (100%) strongly agreed that they felt tired most of the time. Regarding respondents’ view on the causes of mental illness, majority of the respondents consisting of 32 (80%) indicated spiritual cause. The study concluded that ignorance, cultural and religious beliefs of people caused the negative perception about mental illness and this negatively affected the parents, caregivers and persons suffering from mental illnesses. It is recommended that Ministry of health and Ghana Health Service must implement health education on mental illness to educate the public and mental nurses must be integrated to all health facilities. Keywords: Mental Health, Mental retardation, disorders, human rights DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/101-04 Publication date: June 30 th 2022