Comparing Mental Illness Stigma among Nurses in Psychiatric and Non-Psychiatric Wards in Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

Abstract

Abstract Background: affecting different sides of personal life, stigma can exacerbate people’s mental health problems and can seriously affect their chances of recovery, reinforcing negative attitudes and discriminating behaviours in the process. This research aims to compare the stigma of mental illness among nurses working in psychiatric and non-psychiatric wards in Tabriz University of Medical Sicences. Methods and Materials: In this comparative - descriptive study, random and census sampling method was used. 240 nurses working at teaching hospitals in Tabriz participated in this study in two groups of 120 people. The data were collected using demographics questionnaire and The Community Attitudes Towards the Mentally Ill(CAMI) scale to check the attitude of nurses towards mental illness after determining the validity and reliability. All data were analyzed using SPSS13 software.

Results: The majority of the nurses had an average ratio of mental illness stigma and there was no meaningful relationship between type of ward and stigma. The average score of the stigma in the psychiatry group(102/99) and non-psychiatric group (103/36). In the psychiatry group; stigma in males, singles, nurses who work in the psychiatric ward without his desire and had high work experience and lower salaries was more than others. In non-psychiatric group; the average score of stigma was higher in singles, official recruitment, and those who had more experience and the number of working shifts. (%63/3) of psychiatric wards nurses tend to continue working in the same section and most non-psychiatric nurses (%86/3) are reluctant to work in mental wards. Conclusion:According to the results it seems that having contact with people with mental illness by merely working with them in the psychiatric ward is not enough in creating a positive attitude and the kind of contact quality and quantity are more impact in changing the stigma. However, due to the existence of stigma between the nurses, it is recommended that the discussion of stigma and its reduction methods be included in the courses for nurses. Applying educational programs and giving opportunities for nurses to meet recovered patients which now have the desirable social life.