Mental Illness Beliefs, Perceived Stigma, and Delayed help-seeking behavior among Psychiatric patients in selected public Hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2025-11
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Delayed help-seeking behavior among individuals with mental illness remains a critical barrier to timely psychiatric intervention, particularly in low-resource settings like Ethiopia, where cultural beliefs, stigma, and socio-demographic factors play a significant role. This study aimed to examine prevailing mental illness beliefs, assess the extent and duration of delayed help-seeking, determine the role of perceived stigma, and identify socio-demographic and clinical factors contributing to delays. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, and a total of 399 participants were selected using stratified systematic sampling to ensure diverse representation. Data were collected through standardized questionnaires measuring mental illness beliefs, perceived stigma, and help-seeking behavior. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify predictors of delay. The findings indicated that many patients perceived mental illness as a form of religious punishment. A majority of respondents agreed with statements reflecting supernatural etiology (M = 3.58, SD = 0.49) and punishment for sin (M = 3.48, SD = 0.50), suggesting that culturally embedded spiritual beliefs strongly influence perceptions of mental illness. The mean scores for supernatural (M = 3.62, SD = 0.31), biomedical (M = 3.64, SD = 0.33), and psychosocial beliefs (M = 3.65, SD = 0.30) indicated moderate endorsement across all domains. The logistic regression model was statistically significant, χ²(16) = 334.78, p < .001, with a Nagelkerke R² of .836, indicating strong predictive power. Education level, perceived stigma (Exp(B) = 13,649.66, p < .001), and mental illness beliefs (Exp(B) = 31.27, p = .025) were significant predictors of delayed help-seeking. Additional factors such as gender, marital status, and place of residence also contributed to the delay.
Overall, the results demonstrate that deeply rooted cultural and religious beliefs, together with perceived stigma, substantially influence patients’ decisions to delay professional treatment. These findings emphasize the need for culturally sensitive mental health education, community-based stigma reduction initiatives, and equitable access to psychiatric services. It is recommended that community awareness campaigns utilize media and cultural platforms to promote mental health as a treatable condition and foster public acceptance.
Keywords: Help-seeking behavior, Mental illness beliefs, Perceived stigma, Psychiatric patients, Socio-demographic factors
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Keywords
Help-seeking behavior, Mental illness beliefs, Perceived stigma, Psychiatric patients, Socio-demographic factors