TY - JOUR
T1 - Evaluation of an anti-stigma campaign related to common mental disorders in rural India
T2 - a mixed methods approach
AU - Maulik, P. K.
AU - Devarapalli, S.
AU - Kallakuri, S.
AU - Tewari, A.
AU - Chilappagari, S.
AU - Koschorke, M.
AU - Thornicroft, G.
PY - 2016/11/2
Y1 - 2016/11/2
N2 - Background: Stigma related to mental health is a major barrier to help-seeking resulting in a large treatment gap in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). This study assessed changes in knowledge, attitude and behaviour, and stigma related to help-seeking among participants exposed to an anti-stigma campaign. Method: The campaign, using multi-media interventions, was part of the SMART Mental Health Project, conducted for 3 months, across 42 villages in rural Andhra Pradesh, in South India. Mixed-methods evaluation was conducted in two villages using a pre-post design. Results: A total of 1576 and 2100 participants were interviewed, at pre- and post-intervention phases of the campaign. Knowledge was not increased. Attitudes and behaviours improved significantly (p <0.01). Stigma related to help-seeking reduced significantly (p <0.05). Social contact and drama were the most beneficial interventions identified during qualitative interviews. Conclusion: The results showed that the campaign was beneficial and led to improvement of attitude and behaviours related to mental health and reduction in stigma related to help-seeking. Social contact was the most effective intervention. The study had implications for future research in LMIC.
AB - Background: Stigma related to mental health is a major barrier to help-seeking resulting in a large treatment gap in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). This study assessed changes in knowledge, attitude and behaviour, and stigma related to help-seeking among participants exposed to an anti-stigma campaign. Method: The campaign, using multi-media interventions, was part of the SMART Mental Health Project, conducted for 3 months, across 42 villages in rural Andhra Pradesh, in South India. Mixed-methods evaluation was conducted in two villages using a pre-post design. Results: A total of 1576 and 2100 participants were interviewed, at pre- and post-intervention phases of the campaign. Knowledge was not increased. Attitudes and behaviours improved significantly (p <0.01). Stigma related to help-seeking reduced significantly (p <0.05). Social contact and drama were the most beneficial interventions identified during qualitative interviews. Conclusion: The results showed that the campaign was beneficial and led to improvement of attitude and behaviours related to mental health and reduction in stigma related to help-seeking. Social contact was the most effective intervention. The study had implications for future research in LMIC.
KW - Common mental disorders
KW - community-based
KW - India
KW - low- and middle-income countries
KW - mental health awareness
KW - stigma.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84994120925&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1017/S0033291716002804
DO - 10.1017/S0033291716002804
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84994120925
SN - 0033-2917
SP - 1
EP - 11
JO - Psychological Medicine
JF - Psychological Medicine
ER -