Table 2 Responses to attitude statements (n = 46)
| Â | Agree | Uncertain | Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|
% (n) | % (n) | % (n) | |
Attitudes regarding mental health service provision | |||
Medications usually produce a satisfactory result in patients with mental health problems | 93.5 (43) | 2.2 (1) | 4.3 (2) |
Mental health problems are common in the community. | 87.0 (40) | 6.5 (3) | 6.5 (3) |
The number of patients I see presenting with signs and symptoms of mental health problems is increasing. | 82.6 (38) | 6.5 (3) | 10.9 (5) |
The majority of mental health problems that I see originate from patients’ recent misfortunes | 52.2 (24) | 23.9 (11) | 23.9 (11) |
An underlying biochemical abnormality is at the basis of severe mental health problems | 50.0 (23) | 39.1 (18) | 10.9 (5) |
Medication is more beneficial than counselling for patients with mental health problems | 43.5 (20) | 15.2 (7) | 41.3 (19) |
Mental health problems can improve if nothing is done to treat them | 19.6 (9) | 0.0 (0) | 80.4 (37) |
Negative attitudes statements | Â | Â | Â |
Mental Health problems are a sign of personal weakness | 58.7 (27) | 17.4 (8) | 23.9 (11) |
Working with patients with mental health problems is difficult | 52.2 (24) | 2.2 (1) | 45.7 (21) |
PHC doctors have little to offer patients with mental health problems | 50.0 (23) | 4.3 (2) | 45.7 (21) |
Counselling for mental health problems should be left to a specialist | 34.8 (16) | 8.7 (4) | 56.5 (26) |
Counselling tends to be unsuccessful in patients with mental health problems | 17.4 (8) | 17.4 (8) | 65.2 (30) |