Caregivers’ Perception and Attitude towards Child Mental Health in Beni Suef Governorate, Egypt

Abstract

Background: The World Health Organization recognizes the lack of public information about children and adolescents’ mental health (CAMH) disorders as a barrier to seeking help. This study assessed the current knowledge and attitudes of caregivers about CAMH problems in Egypt. Methods: A total of 1937 caregivers attending primary health care centers in Beni Suef, Egypt, were surveyed using the Arabic version of the University of Chicago Behavior Health Questionnaire (UCBHQ). Results: We found a statistical significance of positive attitude towards CAMH in parents’/caregivers’ who were females, relatively young, or had a higher educational degree. Due to the influence of media and negative publicity, caregivers were wary of the adverse effects of psychoactive medications and MH treatment. We also identified participants who had previously attended MH workshops or had a family member with mental illness were skeptical about existing MH services. Cultural background and spirituality were not a barrier to seeking MH care in this study. Conclusion: Findings highlight the need to utilize social media, television ad campaigns, and print fora to raise awareness about stigma, etiology of MH problems, and evidence-based treatments targeting gender and age-specific population.