Revista internacional de salud y seguridad públicas

Perception of Stigma among Attendees of Tertiary Care Psychiatric Clinic in Oman

Abstract

Mohammed Al Alawi, Hamed Al Sinawi, Mundher Al Maqbali and Hashil Al Hatmi

Objectives: To examine the level of perceived stigma experienced by people with mental illnesses and its relation to patient's age, gender, marital status, employment status, psychiatric diagnosis, and education level. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among patients attending Psychiatric Clinic at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital. Perceived stigma was assessed using the modified version of the 42 patients’ stigma scale. Data were analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 19. Results: A total of 197 patients participated in the study (49% males and 52% females). Disclosure and discrimination of mental illness subscales were highest factor of self- or perceived stigma compared to the positive aspects. The impact of demographic factors and psychiatric diagnosis on the perception of stigma was not statistically significant. Conclusion: This study showed that attendees of the Psychiatry Clinic at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital were less likely to disclose their mental illness and experienced more discrimination of mental illness than the positive aspects.