Evaluation of an anti-stigma campaign related to common mental disorders in rural India: a mixed methods approach

作者：Pallab K Maulik, Shivareddy Devarapalli, Sudha Kallakuri, Abha Tewari, Shailaja Chilappagari, Mirja Koschorke, Graham Thornicroft · 发表于：Psychological Medicine · 年份：2016 · DOI：10.1017/s0033291716002804 · 被引用次数：110 · 研究领域：Mental Health Treatment and Access、Digital Mental Health Interventions、Diabetes Management and Education

BACKGROUND: Stigma related to mental health is a major barrier to help-seeking resulting in a large treatment gap in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). This study assessed changes in knowledge, attitude and behaviour, and stigma related to help-seeking among participants exposed to an anti-stigma campaign. METHOD: The campaign, using multi-media interventions, was part of the SMART Mental Health Project, conducted for 3 months, across 42 villages in rural Andhra Pradesh, in South India. Mixed-methods evaluation was conducted in two villages using a pre-post design. RESULTS: A total of 1576 and 2100 participants were interviewed, at pre- and post-intervention phases of the campaign. Knowledge was not increased. Attitudes and behaviours improved significantly (p < 0.01). Stigma related to help-seeking reduced significantly (p < 0.05). Social contact and drama were the most beneficial interventions identified during qualitative interviews. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the campaign was beneficial and led to improvement of attitude and behaviours related to mental health and reduction in stigma related to help-seeking. Social contact was the most effective intervention. The study had implications for future research in LMIC.