Community perceptions towards people with mental illness in Lusaka urban district.

Abstract

In Zambia like in many other countries, the concept of mental illness is stigmatised in various ways. Poor community sensitisation about mental illness has resulted in negative community perceptions towards people with mental illness. The objective of the study was to explore community perceptions towards people with mental illness in Lusaka Urban District.A cross sectional study using semi-structured questionnaire was conducted. A total of 50 respondents aged 18 years and above were interviewed. Participants were selected using simple random sampling method. Despite the often assumed negative perception leading to stigma, the results revealed that 70 percent of the respondents had positive perceptions towards people with mental illness. Ninety percent of the respondents had adequate knowledge about mental illness, and majority of the respondents stated that they had quality health services. However, most of the respondents stated that mentally ill people were only treated at the referral hospital. Positive community perception towards people with mental illness is important to improving and promoting the mental health of all Zambians.