Awareness and Attitude Towards Mental Illness Among Residents of Binji Community, Binji Local Government Area, Sokoto State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Mental illness is an important public health concern, often associated with stigma, discrimination, fear and social exclusion that hinder care seeking and reintegration. This study assessed the level of awareness, attitude and factors influencing attitude towards mental illness among residents of Binji Community, Binji Local Government Area, Sokoto State. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was conducted among adults aged 18 years and above resident in Binji community who gave informed consent; non consenting individuals and residents of other wards were excluded. A minimum sample size of 387 (407 with 5%attrition) was calculated using Taro Yamane's formula. A multistage sampling technique selected the state, LGA, wards and district followed by accidental sampling of respondents within each district. Data were collected using a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire and analysed with Microsoft excel using frequencies, simple percentage and a 95% confidence interval. Ethical clearance and informed consent were obtained and confidentiality was maintained throughout. Result: of 407 respondents (mean age 28.1 ± 7.14 years), 71.7% were male and 96.3% practiced Islam. All respondents (100%) had heard of mental illness though only 36.1% could correctly define it, 47.2% had a high level of awareness. Regrading attitude 86.0% avoided mentally ill persons, 73.7% were afraid of them and 89.7% would not eat with them. Factors influencing attitude included fear (86.0%), gender (84.8%) previous encounter (77.6%), age (76.4%), severity of illness (76.4%), social factors (72.0%), cultural factors (26.8%) and religious factors (22.9%). Conclusion: Awareness of mental illness was generally high, but negative attitudes and social avoidance persisted. Community-based mental health education, public enlightenment, anti-stigma campaigns and healthcare provider-led community engagement are recommended to improve acceptance of, and interaction with people living with mental illness.