PATIENTS’ PERCEPTION ON THE CAUSES OF MENTAL ILLNESS AT ZAURO GENERAL HOSPITAL, KEBBI STATE, NIGERIA

Authors

  • Argungu Musa Zulkiflu Department of Nursing Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto
  • Lawali Yakubu Department of Nursing Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto

Abstract

Mental illness is a health condition that changes a person’s thinking,
feelings, or behaviour (or all three) and that causes the person distress and
difficulty in functioning. The purpose of this study was to explore the
patient’s perception about the causes of mental illness. The study was done
at Zauro General Hospital Kebbi State Nigeria. An exploratory- descriptive
design within the qualitative paradigm was used. In-depth one-on-one
interview with ten (10) participants between the ages of 30-54 years old.
All participants consented to participate and they were used purposively
sampled. No form of coercion was used to attract or retain them. The
interviews were audio taped and transcribed verbatim after which content
analysis was done to identify themes and categories. A key finding in this
study was that patient’s perception on the causes of mental illness
indicated that patients perceived genetics, physical illness, and chemical
imbalance/chemical as the causes of their illness.  It was recommended
that health care providers should create an avenue to enlighten their
patients on mental illness.
Keywords: Perception, Mental Illness, Patient, Cause

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Published

2018-06-30