Citation

Muga T, Mbuthia G, Gatimu SM, Rossiter R. Issues Ment. Health Nurs. 2019; 40(1): 15-20.

Affiliation

c School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health, Faculty of Science , Charles Sturt University , Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/01612840.2018.1489922

PMID

30111201

Abstract

Nurses play key roles in recognizing, diagnosing, managing, and referring persons with mental disorders. This cross-sectional study assessed mental health literacy (depression and suicidal ideation) among nurses in a private urban referral hospital in Kenya. Nurses read a vignette and answered questions regarding diagnosis, treatment/interventions, and related attitudes and beliefs. Thirty-seven nurses (12 males) completed the questionnaire. Three correctly identified the diagnosis and 23 identified depression only. Although 75% noted the symptoms were extremely distressing, fear, and stigma were common reactions. This highlights challenges in mental health promotion/prevention in Kenya, and suggests continuous nursing education and curriculum enhancement is needed.

Language: en