Mental illness - stigma and discrimination in Zambia
dc.contributor.author | Kapungwe, A | |
dc.contributor.author | Cooper, Sara | |
dc.contributor.author | Mwanza, J | |
dc.contributor.author | Mwape, L | |
dc.contributor.author | Sikwese, A | |
dc.contributor.author | Kakuma, R | |
dc.contributor.author | Lund, Christopher | |
dc.contributor.author | Flisher, Alan | |
dc.contributor.author | MHaPP Research Programme Consortium | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2017-06-20T08:54:17Z | |
dc.date.available | 2017-06-20T08:54:17Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2010 | |
dc.date.updated | 2016-01-11T13:08:40Z | |
dc.description.abstract | Objective: The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the presence, causes and means of addressing individual and systemic stigma and discrimination against people with mental illness in Zambia. This is to facilitate the development of tailor-made antistigma initiatives that are culturally sensitive for Zambia and other low-income African countries. This is the first in-depth study on mental illness stigma in Zambia. Method: Fifty semi-structured interviews and 6 focus group discussions were conducted with key stakeholders drawn from 3 districts in Zambia (Lusaka, Kabwe and Sinazongwe). Transcripts were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Results: Mental illness stigma and discrimination is pervasive across Zambian society, prevailing within the general community, amongst family members, amid general and mental health care providers, and at the level of government. Such stigma appears to be fuelled by misunderstandings of mental illness aetiology; fears of contagion and the perceived dangerousness of people with mental illness; and associations between HIV/AIDS and mental illness. Strategies suggested for reducing stigma and discrimination in Zambia included education campaigns, the transformation of mental health policy and legislation and expanding the social and economic opportunities of the mentally ill. Conclusion: In Zambia, as in many other lowincome African countries, very little attention is devoted to addressing the negative beliefs and behaviours surrounding mental illness, despite the devastating costs that ensue. The results from this study underscore the need for greater commitment from governments and policy-makers in African countries to start prioritizing mental illness stigma as a major public health and development issue. | |
dc.identifier.apacitation | Kapungwe, A., Cooper, S., Mwanza, J., Mwape, L., Sikwese, A., Kakuma, R., ... (2010). Mental illness - stigma and discrimination in Zambia. <i>African Journal of Psychiatry</i>, http://hdl.handle.net/11427/24588 | en_ZA |
dc.identifier.chicagocitation | Kapungwe, A, Sara Cooper, J Mwanza, L Mwape, A Sikwese, R Kakuma, Christopher Lund, Alan Flisher, and "Mental illness - stigma and discrimination in Zambia." <i>African Journal of Psychiatry</i> (2010) http://hdl.handle.net/11427/24588 | en_ZA |
dc.identifier.citation | Kapungwe, A., Cooper, S., Mwanza, J., Mwape, L., Sikwese, A., Kakuma, R., ... & Flisher, A. J. (2010). Mental illness-stigma and discrimination in Zambia. African Journal of Psychiatry, 13(3). | |
dc.identifier.ris | TY - Journal Article AU - Kapungwe, A AU - Cooper, Sara AU - Mwanza, J AU - Mwape, L AU - Sikwese, A AU - Kakuma, R AU - Lund, Christopher AU - Flisher, Alan AU - MHaPP Research Programme Consortium AB - Objective: The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the presence, causes and means of addressing individual and systemic stigma and discrimination against people with mental illness in Zambia. This is to facilitate the development of tailor-made antistigma initiatives that are culturally sensitive for Zambia and other low-income African countries. This is the first in-depth study on mental illness stigma in Zambia. Method: Fifty semi-structured interviews and 6 focus group discussions were conducted with key stakeholders drawn from 3 districts in Zambia (Lusaka, Kabwe and Sinazongwe). Transcripts were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Results: Mental illness stigma and discrimination is pervasive across Zambian society, prevailing within the general community, amongst family members, amid general and mental health care providers, and at the level of government. Such stigma appears to be fuelled by misunderstandings of mental illness aetiology; fears of contagion and the perceived dangerousness of people with mental illness; and associations between HIV/AIDS and mental illness. Strategies suggested for reducing stigma and discrimination in Zambia included education campaigns, the transformation of mental health policy and legislation and expanding the social and economic opportunities of the mentally ill. Conclusion: In Zambia, as in many other lowincome African countries, very little attention is devoted to addressing the negative beliefs and behaviours surrounding mental illness, despite the devastating costs that ensue. The results from this study underscore the need for greater commitment from governments and policy-makers in African countries to start prioritizing mental illness stigma as a major public health and development issue. DA - 2010 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town J1 - African Journal of Psychiatry LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2010 T1 - Mental illness - stigma and discrimination in Zambia TI - Mental illness - stigma and discrimination in Zambia UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/24588 ER - | en_ZA |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/24588 | |
dc.identifier.vancouvercitation | Kapungwe A, Cooper S, Mwanza J, Mwape L, Sikwese A, Kakuma R, et al. Mental illness - stigma and discrimination in Zambia. African Journal of Psychiatry. 2010; http://hdl.handle.net/11427/24588. | en_ZA |
dc.language.iso | eng | |
dc.publisher.department | Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health | en_ZA |
dc.publisher.faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences | en_ZA |
dc.publisher.institution | University of Cape Town | |
dc.source | African Journal of Psychiatry | |
dc.source.uri | http://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajpsy/article/view/57913 | |
dc.title | Mental illness - stigma and discrimination in Zambia | |
dc.type | Journal Article | en_ZA |
uct.type.filetype | Text | |
uct.type.filetype | Image | |
uct.type.publication | Research | en_ZA |
uct.type.resource | Article | en_ZA |