Abstract
<i>Background</i>: Stigma associated with mental illness is a psychosocial consequence that causes indescribable suffering for the victim. Therefore this study aimed to assess the magnitude and factors associated with level of perceived stigma among caregivers of persons with severe mental illness in Jimma city, Ethiopia. <i>Methods</i>: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a face-to-face interview from September 20 to October 20/2012 G.C. Family interview schedule was used to assess perceived stigma. A total of 289 participants were recruited using a consecutive sampling technique. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 software. <i>Results</i>: The most frequently endorsed item was having felt grief or depression because of having a mentally ill family member or relative (96.5%). The mean stigma score was 17.8±6.9 and the majority of the respondents (54.7%) had a high stigma score. Caregivers/Family members who were spouse to the patient (AOR=4.25, 95%CI: 1.12–16.13) and longer duration of illness (AOR=3.60, 95%CI: 1.42– 9.44) were associated with higher stigma. But a person with mental illness who had verbal/physical violent behavior towards caregivers/family members and other people at the time of the illness (AOR=0.34, 95%CI: 0.17–0.70) and among those family members who attributed the cause of mental illness as the loss of properties and unsuccessful life (AOR=0.27, 95%CI: 0.08-0.89) at p=0.032. Were associated with low stigma respectively. <i>Conclusions</i>: Perceived stigma was found to be a common problem among caregivers of persons with severe mental illness. Becoming spouse of the person, duration of illness, patient with violent behavior and, those caregivers who attributed the cause of mental illness as the loss of properties and unsuccessful life were significantly associated with perceived stigma.
Highlights
The term stigma was defined as "something that detracts from the character or reputation of a person, group, etc.; a mark of disgrace or reproach; a mark, sign, etc indicating that something is not considered normal [1]
The definition of Perceived stigma was adopted as families/caregivers of persons with severe mental illness perceived that society excludes, reject, blame or devaluate them because they are associated with stigmatized group, mentally ill individual
The study population for this study was a sample of family members/caregivers of persons with severe mental illness living in Jimma city who came to Jimma University specialized hospital (JUSH) psychiatry clinic
Summary
The term stigma was defined as "something that detracts from the character or reputation of a person, group, etc.; a mark of disgrace or reproach; a mark, sign, etc indicating that something is not considered normal [1]. The definition of Perceived stigma was adopted as families/caregivers of persons with severe mental illness perceived that society excludes, reject, blame or devaluate them because they are associated with stigmatized group, mentally ill individual. They fear or perceive to be present in the community or society [4]. This study aimed to assess the magnitude and factors associated with level of perceived stigma among caregivers of persons with severe mental illness in Jimma city, Ethiopia. Becoming spouse of the person, duration of illness, patient with violent behavior and, those caregivers who attributed the cause of mental illness as the loss of properties and unsuccessful life were significantly associated with perceived stigma
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