Table 3 Primary health care (PHC) worker knowledge about the causes of, and risk factors for, mental illness (n = 151)
Reported risk factors | n (%) |
|---|---|
Supernatural | Â |
Evil eye | 34 (22.5) |
Evil spirit | 20 (13.2) |
Attack from the devil | 26 (17.2) |
Magic | 44 (29.1) |
Due to sins committed | 18 (11.9) |
Will of God | 20 (13.0) |
Curse | 31 (20.5) |
Biological | Â |
Genetic exposure | 87 (57.6) |
Use of psychoactive substances | 144 (95.4) |
Neurochemical imbalance | 123 (81.5) |
Psychosocial | Â |
Financial constraint | 87 (57.6) |
Loss of loved one | 86 (57.0) |
Academic failure | 86 (57.0) |
Conflict in marriage | 104 (68.9) |
Unemployment | 86 (57.0) |
Divorce | 99 (65.6) |
Work overload | 69 (45.7) |
Physical or sexual abuse | 120 (79.5) |