Discrimination and Stigma of Mentally Ill Patients among Health Care Workers and the Public in Developing Countries; its Effect on the Integration of Mental Health Services into the Primary Health Care System- A Systematic Review

Abstract

Discrimination and stigmatization against the mentally ill are issues of concern for years and have negatively affected the health outcomes of the mentally ill. The WHO has advised that integration of mental health services is necessary to close the treatment gap that currently exists. The aim of this paper is to synthesize evidence from various researchers regarding the presence of discrimination and stigma of mentally ill patients among health care workers and the public and to identify its effect on the integration of mental health services into the primary health care system. A systematic search was conducted in the PubMed, EBSCO HOST, Google scholar, MEDLINE databases. Fifteen (15) studies were evaluated to determine the level of stigma and discrimination towards the mentally ill patient by health professionals and the public. Studies conducted in developing countries identified that stigma and discrimination against the mentally ill among health care workers and members of the general public exists, and this negatively affects the integration process. Fear of seeking help from the health care service providers and administration of poor quality of health care to this category of patients are some of the effects. Stigma and discrimination are still major issues in developing countries; it is imperative that means of resolving these issues are developed. The gap in mental health treatment exists and is growing. Education: increased public awareness and good governance of the health system are just a few ways in which we can resolve these problems.