Understanding mental health stigma and discrimination in Ethiopia: A qualitative study.

Journal: Global mental health (Cambridge, England)

Volume: 11

Issue: 

Year of Publication: 

Affiliated Institutions:  Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Centre for Global Mental Health and Centre for Implementation Science, Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK. Department of Global Health, Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA. Centre for Global Mental Health, Health Service and Population Research Department and WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health Research and Training, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK. Center for Global Mental Health Equity, The George Washington University, Washington DC, USA.

Abstract summary 

Stigma is significantly impacted by cultural and contextual value systems. People with mental health conditions frequently have to deal with the condition itself and the associated stigma and discrimination. Contextual understanding is essential to design measures and interventions.This study aimed to explore the experiences and perceptions of people with mental health conditions, their families and key stakeholders.A qualitative method used to understand mental health-related stigma and its local contexts. Sixteen participants, including service users, caregivers, service providers and health service administrators, were interviewed.People with mental health conditions and their caregivers experienced various forms of stigmatization which is linked to attributions about the causality of the illness, overt manifestations of mental health condition leading to easy identification and functional impairments that adversely affect participation. Social contact, lived experiences sharing and training of service providers are relevant intervention strategy to address stigma.Stigma and exclusion are prominent in the experiences of people with mental health conditions and their caregivers in this rural Ethiopian setting. Measurement of stigma and the development of interventions should consider how stigma is socially constructed. Anti-stigma interventions need to be implemented alongside expanded local access to mental healthcare.

Authors & Co-authors:  Girma Eshetu E Ayele Bethel B Gronholm Petra C PC Wahid Syed Shabab SS Hailemariam Ariam A Thornicroft Graham G Hanlon Charlotte C Kohrt Brandon B

Study Outcome 

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Statistics
Citations :  Al-Rawashdeh AB, Alnjadat RM, Younis MB, Rayan A, Harb A, Al-Aaraj H. (2021) Cultural misconceptions and public stigma about mental illness. Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology 15(2), 1873–1878.
Authors :  8
Identifiers
Doi : e58
SSN : 2054-4251
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Other Terms
Discrimination;Ethiopia;Mental conditions;Stigmatization;low and middle income country
Study Design
Study Approach
Qualitative
Country of Study
Ethiopia
Publication Country
England