The Perceptions of General Population About Mental Health Services in Baghdad, Iraq: A Qualitative Study
Background: Access to mental health services remains a challenge in many countries including Iraq, where mental illness is often stigmatized and marginalized. This can lead to negative outcomes such as decreased quality of life and increased morbidity and mortality. Objectives: The present stu...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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College of Pharmacy University of Baghdad
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Iraqi Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://bijps.uobaghdad.edu.iq/index.php/bijps/article/view/2684 |
| _version_ | 1797635790491090944 |
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| author | Zaid Sabti Jumaah Ali Azeez Al-Jumaili |
| author_facet | Zaid Sabti Jumaah Ali Azeez Al-Jumaili |
| author_sort | Zaid Sabti Jumaah |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Background: Access to mental health services remains a challenge in many countries including Iraq, where mental illness is often stigmatized and marginalized. This can lead to negative outcomes such as decreased quality of life and increased morbidity and mortality.
Objectives: The present study aimed to explore the perceptions of general population in Iraq towards mental health services and identify the challenges facing patient access to these services. Methods: This qualitative study included face-to-face semi-structured interviews with general population in primary health care centers and private pharmacies in Baghdad between (December 2022 through February 2023). Thematic analysis was used to identify recurring themes and sub-themes. Results: Thirty participants were recruited in this study. The study found that the general population in Iraq have negative perceptions towards mental health services. The repeated themes were "public social stigma," "lack of privacy in public healthcare settings," and "lack of psychotherapy sessions in mental health services." The social stigma" was further divided into sub-themes including stigma from family, friends, or co-workers. Lack of privacy indicated there are too many interruptions in the environment of public healthcare settings. Lack of non-pharmacological therapy in mental health services, was expressed as a feeling that only medication therapy was offered, while psychotherapy was not available. Conclusion: The findings suggest that a cultural awareness is needed to reduce the social stigma associated with mental illness and to increase trust in the public mental health services. The results also highlighted the need for improved privacy and culturally-sensitive mental health services. To improve access to mental health services, it is crucial that healthcare providers, social workers, and society work together to promote and destigmatize mental illness.
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| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T12:26:20Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0fee3fc5ef9c47588e566baa8669c104 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1683-3597 2521-3512 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T12:26:20Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | College of Pharmacy University of Baghdad |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Iraqi Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-0fee3fc5ef9c47588e566baa8669c1042023-11-06T08:57:51ZengCollege of Pharmacy University of BaghdadIraqi Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences1683-35972521-35122023-11-0132Suppl.10.31351/vol32issSuppl.pp283-290The Perceptions of General Population About Mental Health Services in Baghdad, Iraq: A Qualitative Study Zaid Sabti Jumaah0Ali Azeez Al-Jumaili1Ministry of Health and Environment, Directorate of Health in Al-Rusafa, Baghdad, IraqDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq. Background: Access to mental health services remains a challenge in many countries including Iraq, where mental illness is often stigmatized and marginalized. This can lead to negative outcomes such as decreased quality of life and increased morbidity and mortality. Objectives: The present study aimed to explore the perceptions of general population in Iraq towards mental health services and identify the challenges facing patient access to these services. Methods: This qualitative study included face-to-face semi-structured interviews with general population in primary health care centers and private pharmacies in Baghdad between (December 2022 through February 2023). Thematic analysis was used to identify recurring themes and sub-themes. Results: Thirty participants were recruited in this study. The study found that the general population in Iraq have negative perceptions towards mental health services. The repeated themes were "public social stigma," "lack of privacy in public healthcare settings," and "lack of psychotherapy sessions in mental health services." The social stigma" was further divided into sub-themes including stigma from family, friends, or co-workers. Lack of privacy indicated there are too many interruptions in the environment of public healthcare settings. Lack of non-pharmacological therapy in mental health services, was expressed as a feeling that only medication therapy was offered, while psychotherapy was not available. Conclusion: The findings suggest that a cultural awareness is needed to reduce the social stigma associated with mental illness and to increase trust in the public mental health services. The results also highlighted the need for improved privacy and culturally-sensitive mental health services. To improve access to mental health services, it is crucial that healthcare providers, social workers, and society work together to promote and destigmatize mental illness. https://bijps.uobaghdad.edu.iq/index.php/bijps/article/view/2684mental health, general population, qualitative study |
| spellingShingle | Zaid Sabti Jumaah Ali Azeez Al-Jumaili The Perceptions of General Population About Mental Health Services in Baghdad, Iraq: A Qualitative Study Iraqi Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences mental health, general population, qualitative study |
| title | The Perceptions of General Population About Mental Health Services in Baghdad, Iraq: A Qualitative Study |
| title_full | The Perceptions of General Population About Mental Health Services in Baghdad, Iraq: A Qualitative Study |
| title_fullStr | The Perceptions of General Population About Mental Health Services in Baghdad, Iraq: A Qualitative Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Perceptions of General Population About Mental Health Services in Baghdad, Iraq: A Qualitative Study |
| title_short | The Perceptions of General Population About Mental Health Services in Baghdad, Iraq: A Qualitative Study |
| title_sort | perceptions of general population about mental health services in baghdad iraq a qualitative study |
| topic | mental health, general population, qualitative study |
| url | https://bijps.uobaghdad.edu.iq/index.php/bijps/article/view/2684 |
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