A Descriptive study to Assess the Level of Knowledge on Behavioral Patterns among school Children

Social stigma is the extreme disapproval of a person or group on society that is perceived, and serves to distinguish them, from other members of a society.² According to community based study under the WHO mental health Gap action program, in India the life time prevalence of mental disorders range from 12.2%-48.6%. Lack of social support combined with the absolute lack of care, street have become home to the mentally ill in India¹³. The prejudice and fear caused by stigma may even prevent people from coming forward and seeking the help they need.¹⁶

A Pre experimental one group pre-test post-test design was adopted to carry out the present study. Based on the geographic proximity, feasibility to conduct the study and familiarity with the setting, this study will be conducted at selected tertiary care hospital of Belagavi. i.e. K.L.E.S.’s Dr. Prabhakar Kore Charitable hospital, Belagavi, Karnataka. The sample consisted of 80 caregivers of the patient with psychiatric disorders at selected tertiary care hospital of Belagavi. Samples were selected by Non probability convenient sampling technique. After the pre-test a PTP was administered to the subjects and on the seventh day post-test was conducted with the same structured knowledge questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics

The mean post test knowledge score obtained (O2=20) was higher than the mean pre-test knowledge score (O1=14) and similarly the mean post test attitude score obtained (O2=128) was higher than the mean pre-test attitude score (O1=108). Testing of hypothesis for evaluation of effectiveness of planned teaching program for care givers of mentally ill patients on knowledge (t_cal = 14.6, t_tab = 1.99, P < 0.05) and attitude (t_cal= 13.3, t_tab = 1.99, P < 0.05) regarding social stigma of mental illness proved that Planned Teaching Programme was effective teaching method for creating awareness regarding mental health and mental illness. There was no significant association found between the pre-test knowledge scores of knowledge (p>0.05) and attitude (p>0.05) regarding social stigma towards people with psychiatric disorders with selected demographic variables.