Attitude of patients / caregivers towards seeking professional help and factors affecting it; a cross sectional study

ABSTRACT

To determine attitude of people towards opting a treatment modality for mental illnesses and factors affecting it in Psychiatric Outpatient department at Hamdard University Hospital, Karachi. Cross-sectional study. This study was carried out at Psychiatric Outpatient department at Hamdard University Hospital, Karachi from 1[st] January 2008 to 31[st] May 2009. Patients/ caregivers presenting at Psychiatric OPD of Hamdard University Hospital, Karachi from 1[st] January 2008 to 31[st] May 2009 were interviewed according to a standard questionnaire. Consent was taken from each and every patient/caregivers. Data was analyzed using SPSS 16 version. The study comprised 531 patients of which 42.4% were males and 57.6% females. Mean age was found to be 32.1 years [S.D= +/- 12.1]. Regarding mode of treatment opted first, 64.4% resorted to medical treatments while 28.8% used spiritual forms of treatment. 33.9% patients said that they consulted family physician for their problem first. 37.3% consulted a psychiatrist first followed by 18.7% who consulted various moulvis, Aalims and peers. Other forms of traditional healers consulted include hakims [6.8%] and homeopaths [3.4%]. Only 17.1% patients said that they had psychiatric treatment alone. 65.7% thought Rohani ilaaj to be part of religion or both religion and culture. And only 12% thought that Rohani Ilaaj has no role in treatment of mental illnesses. Strong belief still exists in traditional healing in our society. Although psychiatric treatment is becoming increasingly popular and acceptable, work needs to be done to increase awareness