Determination of Mental Health Literacy Knowledge Levels of Primary Health Care Workers

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the mental health literacy (MHL) levels of primary healthcare workers, who play a key role in community-based mental health services, and to identify related factors. The study was designed as descriptive and cross-sectional and was conducted with 139 non-physician healthcare personnel working outside mental health units. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form and the Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS). Participants' socio-demographic characteristics were also assessed. Of the participants, 93.5% were female, 79.9% were married, 33.8% were nurses, the mean age was 40.32±8.18, the mean length of service in the profession was 17.43±8.85 years, 77% were associate degree/bachelor's degree graduates, and 61.2% stated that their income was sufficient to cover their expenses. MHL levels were generally found to be high; the mean total score on the scale was 120.63±9.99. Statistically significant differences were found between the scale score and general health status, presence of mental illness in the family or environment, mental health training status, desire to work in the field of mental health, and occupational variable; however, no significant differences were found between gender, age, educational status, length of service in the profession, marital status, income status, and scale score. Primary healthcare workers are of strategic importance in terms of early intervention for the protection and promotion of mental health. The adequate level of knowledge of this personnel, who are in direct contact with patients, regarding mental disorders enables them to play a more effective role in the diagnosis and treatment processes. In this regard, it is recommended that continuous professional development training programmes aimed at increasing mental health literacy be planned.

Keywords

• Primary health care services
• mental health literacy
• healthcare personnel education

Birinci Basamak Sağlık Hizmeti Çalışanlarının Ruh Sağlığı Okuryazarlığı Bilgi Düzeylerinin Belirlenmesi

Abstract

Bu araştırmanın amacı, toplum temelli ruh sağlığı hizmetlerinde kilit rol oynayan birinci basamak sağlık hizmeti çalışanlarının ruh sağlığı okuryazarlığı (RSO) düzeylerini belirlemek ve ilişkili faktörleri ortaya koymaktır. Araştırma tanımlayıcı ve kesitsel tipte tasarlanmış olup, ruh sağlığı birimleri dışında çalışan 139 hekim dışı sağlık personeli ile yürütülmüştür. Veriler, Kişisel Bilgi Formu ve Ruh Sağlığı Okuryazarlığı Ölçeği (RSOÖ) aracılığıyla toplanmıştır. Katılımcıların sosyo-demografik özellikleri de değerlendirilmiştir. Katılımcıların %93,5’i kadın, %79,9’u evli, %33,8’si hemşire, yaş ortalaması 40,32±8,18, meslekte ortalama hizmet süresi 17,43±8,85 yıl, %77’si önlisans/lisans mezunu ve %61,2’si gelirlerinin giderlerine denk olduğunu belirtmiştir. RSO düzeyleri genel olarak yüksek bulunmuş; ölçekten alınan toplam puan ortalaması 120,63±9,99’dur. Ölçek puanı ile genel sağlık durumu, ailesinde veya çevresinde ruhsal hastalık bulunması, ruh sağlığı eğitimi alma durumu, ruh sağlığı alanında çalışmayı isteme ve meslek değişkeni arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı farklılık saptanmış fakat cinsiyet, yaş, eğitim durumu, meslekte geçirilen süre, medeni durum ve gelir durumu ile ölçek puanı arasında anlamlı fark bulunmamıştır. Birinci basamak sağlık çalışanları, ruh sağlığının korunması ve geliştirilmesinde erken müdahale açısından stratejik bir öneme sahiptir. Hastalarla doğrudan temas hâlinde olan bu personelin ruhsal bozukluklara dair bilgi düzeylerinin yeterli olması, tanı ve tedavi süreçlerinde daha etkin rol almalarını sağlamaktadır. Bu doğrultuda, RSO’nın artırılmasına yönelik sürekli mesleki gelişim eğitimlerinin planlanması önerilmektedir.

Keywords

• Birinci basamak sağlık hizmetleri
• ruh sağlığı okuryazarlığı
• sağlık personeli eğitimi

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