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RELATIVES’ PERCEPTION ON MENTAL ILLNESSES, SERVICES AND TREATMENT, TAIF, SAUDI ARABIA
Dr. Abubaker Ibrahim Elbur*, Dr. Ahmed Abdulrahman Albarraq, Yousif M A Mustafa Awad Abdallah, Ibrahim D. T. Aldeeb
ABSTRACT
Background: Mental health disorders are major public health issue in Saudi Arabia. Mutual collaboration of the families with the healthcare professionals needs proper understanding of mental illnesses, their causes, and treatment outcomes. Objective: - this study was conducted to identify relatives’ perception and attitudes on mental illnesses, the provided health services, and treatment of these diseases. Methods: - A cross-sectional survey was conducted during the period of July to September 2013, whereby all adult relatives (aged >18 years) of mentally ill patients attending for follow-up visits in Mental Health Hospital, Taif, KSA were invited to participate. Data was collect through face-to face interview method using semi -structured questionnaire. All analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software for Windows (version 21). Results: Overall 266 participated in the study, of them 216(81.2%) were males. Nearly three quarter of respondents their ages were < 40 years and 188(70.7%) were residing in the town. University graduates were 112(42.1%). Of the respondents 132(49.6%) thought that evil eye was the major cause of mental illness, followed by personal weakness 126(47.4%). The majority of respondents 196(73.7%) preferred that their patients to receive treatment in home. The interviewees who believed on conventional and/or spiritual treatment for mental illnesses were 192 (72.2%); of them 99(51.6%) believed on Quran, and 88(45.8%) on both Quran and herbs. The majority 194(72.9%) of the participants believed that medicines can treat mental. Conclusions: Misconceptions about the causes of mental illnesses, stigma and negative beliefs and attitudes about mentally ill persons and mental illness were prevalent among relatives of patients with mental diseases. Health educational interventions are badly needed to raise population awareness with mental illnesses. Keywords: Perception, Mental Illnesses, Saudi Arabia. [Download Article] [Download Certifiate] |