Change in Mental Health Stigma After a Brief Intervention Among Internally Displaced Persons in Central Sudan

Community Ment Health J. 2019 Apr;55(3):534-541. doi: 10.1007/s10597-019-00375-y. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Abstract

Stigmatizing attitudes towards people with mental illness is a worldwide phenomenon, This Longitudinal study aimed to determine the level of stigma, among the internal displaced persons in central Sudan and explore possible changes in stigma associated with an intervention. 1549 persons were interviewed using standardized stigma attitude tools. The study reveled high level of stigma among our respondents and there was no significant difference in attitudes towards mental illness observed after the intervention. The intervention was not associated with change in stigma. However, the findings can inform policy to create sustainable national mental health strategies to address the stigma.

Keywords: IDPs; Mental health; Stigma; Sudan.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / epidemiology
  • Mental Disorders / psychology*
  • Mental Health / statistics & numerical data*
  • Refugees / psychology*
  • Refugees / statistics & numerical data
  • Social Stigma*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Stereotyping*
  • Sudan
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult