Comparative survey of beliefs about mental illness among pharmacy and non-pharmacy students of a Nigerian university
| Pages | 112-120 |
| Date | 02 August 2019 |
| Published date | 02 August 2019 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-02-2019-0007 |
| Author | Chibueze Anosike,Nneka Uchenna Igboeli,Chinwe Victoria Ukwe,Chinyere Victoria Okani |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health,Social inclusion |
Comparative survey of beliefs about
mental illness among pharmacy
and non-pharmacy students of a
Nigerian university
Chibueze Anosike, Nneka Uchenna Igboeli, Chinwe Victoria Ukwe and
Chinyere Victoria Okani
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper was to assess and compare beliefs about mental illness among
pharmacy and non-pharmacy students and to explore its associated factors.
Design/methodology/approach –This research was a cross-sectional survey conducted among
undergraduate pharmacy and non-pharmacy students of a Nigerian university. The selected participants
completed the Belief toward Mental Illness questionnaires after usual class lectures. Descriptive statistics, χ
2
test, and t-test were used for data analysis. The level of significance was set at po0.05.
Findings –Overall, pharmacy and non-pharmacy undergraduate students demonstrated negative beliefs
about mental illness. There were no substantial differences in beliefs about mental illness among both groups
of students. Students’class, age, visit to a mental hospital and personal experience of mental disorder were
significantly associated with beliefs about mental illness.
Research limitations/implications –The generalization of the study findings to other schools of pharmacy
in Nigeria is uncertain because this study used convenience sampling technique and was conducted in a
single public university. However, the study provides relevant educational opportunities to guide policy
makers and university administrators on mental health literacy. Therefore, educational interventions
addressing observed gaps in students’opinions regarding mental illness are recommended.
Originality/value –There appears to be little or no data on the beliefs of undergraduate pharmacy trainees
about mental disorders in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Keywords Nigeria, Mental illness, Opinions, Pharmacy students, Social stigma
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Mental disorders remain an important public health problem. Globally, health statistics
demonstrate that one in every four individuals would suffer from a mental illness in the course of
their life. Also, in 2015, mental illness was estimated to account for 15 percent of the global
burden of disease (WHO, 2015). It is a group of disorders that include depression, schizophrenia,
and bipolar disease and are associated with stigmatizing attitudes from the public, friends,
family members and even among health care workers and trainees (Thornicroft et al., 2009).
These stigmatizing behaviors are borne out of ignorance and erroneous beliefs about mental
illness and its etiology. Consequently, people with mental disorders may be victims of
unsatisfactory housing, social exclusion and limited opportunities for education and
employment, which affect their quality of life (Crismon et al., 1990). Further, mentally ill
persons are frequently labeled as dangerous, suspicious, unpredictable, unreliable, irresponsible
and homicidal (Abasiubong et al., 2007). Ultimately, fear of stigmatization by health professionals
The authors sincerely appreciate
the important role of Mr Otuu
Kenneth and his team during the
process of data collection. The
authors also thank all the students
who voluntarily participated in the
study at no cost.
Chibueze Anosike,
Nneka Uchenna Igboeli,
Chinwe Victoria Ukwe and
Chinyere Victoria Okani are all
based at the Department of
Clinical Pharmacy and
Pharmacy Management,
University of Nigeria,
Nsukka, Nigeria.
PAGE112
j
MENTALHEALTH AND SOCIAL INCLUSION
j
VOL. 23 NO. 3 2019, pp. 112-120, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2042-8308 DOI 10.1108/MHSI-02-2019-0007
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