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Attitude Toward and Knowledge about Mental Illness in Fiji Islands

Author

Listed:
  • Henry Stephens Aghanwa

    (Acute Mental Health Unit, Toowoomba Base Hospital, haghanwa@yahoo.com, aghanwa@optusnet.com)

Abstract

Backgrounds: There is a dearth of information on the extent of knowledge about mental illness and attitudes toward the mentally ill in Fiji. Aims: This study aimed to explore these aspects, and also to determine the factors influencing them. Method: Market vendors, peri-urban dwellers, white-collar and health workers from Greater Suva were interviewed. The interview schedule used elicited socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of, and attitudes toward, mental illness. Results: A majority of the subjects attributed the cause of mental illness to substance abuse, believed in the diversity of mental illness, considered hospital as an important source of help and acknowledged the effectiveness of medication. Less than one-fifth of the subjects were willing to marry or employ mentally ill persons. About 42% of the sample would be deterred by embarrassment from seeking help. Educational attainment was correlated with knowledge about mental illness, except with knowledge about early mental symptoms ( p

Suggested Citation

  • Henry Stephens Aghanwa, 2004. "Attitude Toward and Knowledge about Mental Illness in Fiji Islands," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 50(4), pages 361-375, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:50:y:2004:i:4:p:361-375
    DOI: 10.1177/0020764004050336
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. John Read & Alan Law, 1999. "The Relationship of Causal Beliefs and Contact With Users of Mental Health Services To Attitudes To the 'Mentally Ill'," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 45(3), pages 216-229, September.
    2. Robert Sévigny & Yang Wenying & Zhang Peiyan & Jacques D. Marleau & Yang Zhouyun & Su Lin & Li GuowangUOWAN & Xu Dong & Wang Yanling & Wang Haijun, 1999. "Attitudes Toward the Mentally Ill in a Sample of Professionals Working in a Psychiatric Hospital in Beijing (China)," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 45(1), pages 41-55, March.
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