Abstract
ObjectivesStigma toward people with mental health problems (MHP) in primary health care (PHC) settings is an important public health challenge. Research on stigma toward MHP is relatively scarce in Chile and Latin America, as are instruments to measure stigma that are validated for use there. The present study aims to validate the Opening Minds Scale for Health Care Professionals (OMS-HC) among staff and providers in public Chilean PHC clinics, and examine differences in stigma by sociodemographic characteristics.Methods803 participants from 34 PHC clinics answered a self-administered questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis was completed. Average 15-item OMS-HC scores were calculated, and means were compared via t-test or ANOVA to identify group differences. Correlations of OMS-HC scores with other commonly used stigma scores were calculated to evaluate construct validity.ResultsThe 3-factor OMS-HC structure was confirmed in this population. The average OMS-HC (α = 0.69) score was 34.55 (theoretical range 15–75). Significantly lower (less stigmatizing) mean OMS-HC scores were found in those with additional training and/or personal experience with MHP.ConclusionThe validated, Spanish version of OMS-HC can be of use to further research stigma toward MHP in Chile and Latin America, advancing awareness and inspiring interventions to reduce stigma in the future.
Highlights
Stigma toward people with mental health problems (MHP) is a significant public health challenge [1,2]
The 3-factor Opening Minds Scale for Health Care Professionals (OMS-HC) structure was confirmed in this population
The validated, Spanish version of OMS-HC can be of use to further research stigma toward MHP in Chile and Latin America, advancing awareness and inspiring interventions to reduce stigma in the future
Summary
Stigma toward people with mental health problems (MHP) is a significant public health challenge [1,2]. There is ample evidence of stigma about people with MHP in health care settings and by health care professionals [4,5,6]. Experiencing stigma in health care can result in reduced MHP treatment adherence and engagement [11] and a decrease in quality of life [12,13] for those with MHP. Services to treat MHP at the PHC level could potentially reduce stigma and discrimination, as people with these conditions are generally treated by the same providers and in the same, communitybased location as people with other health conditions [17]. Studies in multiple locations have confirmed the presence of stigma in PHC settings [4,18,19]
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