Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: August | Volume: 10 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 175-182
Assessment of the Knowledge and Attitude of Adults Regarding Mental Illness in Selected Rural Community, West Bengal
Shatabdi Sinha1, Madhusri Manna2, Jhunu Roy3
1 Associate professor, B.M.Birla College of Nursing, Raspunjo, Bakrahat, District South 24 Pgs West Bengal.
2Professor, College of Nursing, Asia Heart Foundation, Narendrapur, District South 24 Pgs, West Bengal
3Ex Senior Faculty, Government College of Nursing, N.R.S Medical College and Hospital, Sealdah, Kolkata, West Bengal.
Corresponding Author: Madhusri Manna
ABSTRACT
A descriptive study was conducted to assess the knowledge and attitude regarding mental illness and to find out the relationship between knowledge and attitude among adults in selected rural community, WB. A co-relational survey approach was adopted. A self report questionnaire was developed and adopted for collecting information regarding background data, knowledge and attitude regarding mental illness. 100 samples were selected through purposive sampling technique for the study from Narayanpur village under B.P.H.C Sarisha. Data obtained regarding background of respondents was analyzed in terms of frequency and percentage distribution. Mean knowledge score was 12.63±4.51 and most of the respondents scored had an average knowledge on mental illness. Knowledge was measured in the cause, signs and symptoms of mental illness, nature and types of mental illness and treatment, prevention and prognosis area. The mean attitude score was 112.8±15.11. In attitude the study revealed that community people held more had benevolent views 36.39 and tolerant attitude towards community mental health ideology 34.66. There is a positive relationship between knowledge and attitude of mental illness is 0.572 and t value 6.87. There is also association between knowledge with three selected variables i.e. education, religion and family history of mental illness and attitude with education. Based on these findings it can be concluded that awareness regarding mental illness is increasing and people are becoming tolerant towards mentally ill people. The study is of obvious importance of any policy aimed at promoting better knowledge and tolerance of mental illness by the public.
Key words: knowledge, attitude, adults, mental illness