Comparative study to assess the knowledge and attitude regarding mental illness among adults residing in selected urban and rural areas of district Sangrur, Punjab

Abstract

Research problem: “A comparative study to assess the knowledge and attitude regarding mental illness among adults residing in selected urban and rural areas of district Sangrur, Punjab” Background of the study: A sound mental health is the key component of health. Absence of mental health could create a great deal of burden to the functioning of a nation. Mental illness is an age-old problem of humankind as documented in the literature of the oldest civilizations the world over. The public view towards mental illness has been considered as negative, stigmatized, uninformed and fearful entity right from the ancient time till date which varies according to age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, tradition, and education of the different community. Aim of the study: The aim of the study to compare the knowledge and attitude regarding mental illness among adults residing in selected urban and rural areas. Objectives of the Study: 1. To assess the knowledge and attitude regarding mental illness among adults residing in selected urban and rural areas of district Sangrur, Punjab. 2. To compare the knowledge and attitude regarding mental illness among adults residing in selected urban and rural areas of district Sangrur, Punjab. 3. To determine the co-relation between knowledge and attitude regarding mental illness among adults residing in selected urban and rural areas of district Sangrur, Punjab. 4. To determine the association between knowledge and attitude regarding mental illness among adults and selected socio- demographic variables. Methodology: A comparative research design was adopted on 100 adults residing in selected urban and rural areas by using convenient sampling technique. A self administered structured knowledge questionnaire and Likert’s scale were used to assess the knowledge and attitude respectively. The analysis of data was computed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result: The majority of adults residing in selected urban and rural areas has average knowledge score i.e. 32 (64%) and 31 (62%), regarding mental illness respectively. In urban area adults have neutral attitude i.e. 27 (54%) and rural area adults have positive attitude i.e. 29 (58%) regarding mental illness. There was no significant comparison between knowledge and attitude scores and adults residing in selected urban and rural areas. There was significant association between knowledge score with educational qualification of adult’s residing in urban area and educational qualification & monthly income of adult’s residing in rural area. There was no significant association except educational qualification and monthly income values indicated significant association between attitude scores of adults residing in urban area. In rural area there was significant association except occupation and monthly income values indicated no significant association between attitude scores of adults regarding mental illness. Conclusion: It was concluded that adults have good knowledge and positive attitude regarding mental illness in both urban and rural areas. Thus, present study suggested that there was growing awareness about mental illness in general population.