Mental illness - stigma and discrimination in Zambia

dc.contributor.authorKapungwe, A
dc.contributor.authorCooper, Sara
dc.contributor.authorMwanza, J
dc.contributor.authorMwape, L
dc.contributor.authorSikwese, A
dc.contributor.authorKakuma, R
dc.contributor.authorLund, Christopher
dc.contributor.authorFlisher, Alan
dc.contributor.authorMHaPP Research Programme Consortium
dc.date.accessioned2017-06-20T08:54:17Z
dc.date.available2017-06-20T08:54:17Z
dc.date.issued2010
dc.date.updated2016-01-11T13:08:40Z
dc.description.abstractObjective: 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.apacitationKapungwe, 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/11427/24588en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationKapungwe, 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/11427/24588en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationKapungwe, 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.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/24588
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationKapungwe 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.isoeng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Psychiatry and Mental Healthen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Health Sciencesen_ZA
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.sourceAfrican Journal of Psychiatry
dc.source.urihttp://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajpsy/article/view/57913
dc.titleMental illness - stigma and discrimination in Zambia
dc.typeJournal Articleen_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceArticleen_ZA
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