Knowledge, Awareness and Attitude Towards Mental Illness among Adult Population of Dharwad District-A Cross Sectional Study

People's beliefs and attitudes toward mental illness set the stage for how they interact with, provide opportunities for, and help support a person with mental illness. Such attitudes can be expressed positively or negatively. Negative attitude may result in avoidance, exclusion from daily activities, exploitation and discrimination of the mentally ill.

This was a community based cross-sectional study conducted in 4 different areas of the district, namely, a village, a block/taluka, an urban slum and urban area. The questionnaire was designed to assess the knowledge, awareness and attitude towards mental illness.

The knowledge of most of the manifestations was more in the urban area, less in the urban slum area and intermediate in taluka and village. There was unfavorable attitude towards mentally ill people in village area, better in urban slum area and intermediate in urban city and taluka area. The knowledge of causes of mental illness was poor in village area, better in urban city area and intermediate in urban slum and taluka. 43.5% people felt mental illness is preventable. 86% said we have responsibility to provide best possible care for people with mental illness. 77% said good health care services should be provided by Community Health Centre's.

As socio-economic status and literacy levels improved, the knowledge regarding manifestations, causes and treatment also increased. The knowledge, awareness and attitude towards mental illness were poor in the district.