Understanding of Medical Students’ Attitudes towards Mental Illness: A Cross-Sectional Study at the State University of Zanzibar
Rodolfo Isidro Bosch Bayard
Department of Internal Medicine, State University of Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Kenechukwu M. Okafor
Department of Surgery, State University of Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Chukwuma J. Okafor
*
Department of Pathology and Biochemistry, State University of Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Diane Millo Martin
Department of Physiology, State University of Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Othman Said Abdalla
Department of Internal Medicine, State University of Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Lorena Bosch Orihuela
National Institute of Sports, Cuba.
Aniuska Palacios Noa
Central Collaboration Unit, Ministry of Public Health, Cuba.
Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu
Department of Biomedical and Laboratory Science, Africa University, Mutare, Zimbabwe.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Introduction: Mental illness imposes a significant global health burden, often compounded by stigma that hinders care. Medical students, as future healthcare providers, play a crucial role in shaping perceptions of mental health and service delivery. Understanding their attitudes toward mental illness is essential for improving outcomes.
Objectives: To assess attitudes toward mental illness among medical students at the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA).
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 156 SUZA medical students using a self-administered questionnaire adopted from the Mental Illness: Clinician’s Attitudes Scale, version 2 (MICA-2). Attitudes were measured on a 16-item, 6-point Likert scale. Independent variables included socio-demographic and educational factors. Students were stratified based on the year of study, while a simple random sampling was used to choose a specific number of students from each group.
Results: Overall, 50.6% of students exhibited negative attitudes, while 49.4% demonstrated positive attitudes. Year of study (χ² = 18.393, p = .001) and close contact with a person with mental illness (χ² = 5.635, p = .018) were significantly associated with attitudes. Students in their earlier years were more positive, but those in their third and fifth years were more negative. Having close contact with someone with a mental illness was unexpectedly associated with more negative attitudes. Other factors, such as gender, age, socioeconomic status, workshop attendance, and personal or family history, showed no significant association. While most students showed some positive views, like seeing the scientific value of psychiatry and supporting respectful communication and care, they still held misconceptions, particularly regarding recovery and the belief that people with mental illness are dangerous.
Conclusion: The SUZA medical students had a mix of positive and negative attitudes toward mental illness. Although the students were aware of mental health issues, this awareness did not always reduce the stigma. The findings show a need for specific educational programs, especially for students in their later years of study, to address ongoing misunderstandings about mental illness.
Keywords: Mental illness, attitudes, the scientific value of psychiatry, university students, Zanzibar