Abstract
Mental health and psychiatric nurses are considered important and integral members of the multidisciplinary mental health care team offering 90% of mental health services in Kenya. Stigma towards mental health nursing practice has led to acute shortage in mental health nursing workforce and consequently poor quality of mental health care. Aim : to assess the correlates of stigma towards mental health nursing practice among Bachelor of Science Nursing students. Research Method : Cross-sectional study was conducted among 90 Undergraduate nursing students at the Universities of Nairobi and Eastern Africa-Baraton. Only students who had completed and passed both theory and clinical experience in mental health nursing course were selected for the study. A structured questionnaire and focus group discussion were used. Ethical approval was sought form the UON/KNH ERC. Data Analysis : The SPSS version 22 was used to analyze the quantitative data whereas the qualitative data from the focus group discussion were analyzed using deductive approach. The correlates were tested using chi-square test and at a P-Value of ≤ 0.05. The final data presented using frequency distribution tables, pie charts, graphs. Findings : Stigma in mental health nursing practice stands at 85.6% (N=87). Marital status significantly correlated with stigma towards mental health nursing practice p=0.04 (χ2 = 7.731). Belief that mental illness is due to demonic possession, shorter clinical placement, a motivation by the course lecturers and poor environment of practice correlated significantly with stigma towards mental health nursing practice. Recommendations : Improve minimum clinical placement hours, over emphasize on psychopathology of mental disorders, encourage thorough orientation of students in clinical area upon arrival. Dissemination : Results will be delivered in scientific conferences, the schools of nursing and to policy makers in mental health care to guide policy development.
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