Assessment of Knowledge of Mental Illness Among Adolescents in Secondary Schools in Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Knowledge of mental health and mental disorders is essential to normal healthy life. Promoting, protecting, and restoring mental health of people and communities especially adolescents. This study seeks to assess the knowledge of knowledge of mental illness among adolescents in secondary schools in Abuja, Nigeria. Methods: This was descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted between August and October, 2021 among adolescents in secondary school in Gwarinpa, Abuja. Ethical approval was granted by Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State Results: Most respondents (59%) were female, and majority 62.2% were aged 15-18 years.The common ethnic groups were Hausa (31.1%),Igbo (26.4%), Yoruba ( 9.4%), Gbagyi (8.4%),Igala (6.9%), Tiv (8.1%), Idoma (7.2%) and Nupe (2.5%). Also, 40.7% are Muslims 58.3% are Christians with 1.0% of adolescents being traditional. Only 10% of the adolescents knew anyone with mental illness, 98.8% of do not have any family with mental illness. Most respondents 335 (82.7%) agreed that evil spirits can cause mental disorders, 291 (71.9%) disagreed that Mental illness is a punishment from God., 95.0% agreed that drug abuse can cause mental illness, 29.6% students believe that “mental illness is when someone is not in their right senses”, 24.0% believe that “mental illness is a brain injury”, 14.1% believe “mental illness is when a person is senseless”, 10.6% believe that “mental illness is when a person is acting weird. The mean knowledge responses of the adolescent show average knowledge about mental illness as indicated by the composite mean of 3.12. Conclusion: Knowledge about mental illness is critical for adolescents . thus health education and promotion will help increase knowledge and shape positive health responses to the illness.