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Barriers to the Utilization of Mental Healthcare Services in South West, Nigeria: Gender Implications

OLAWANDE, TOMIKE IBIRONKE and Ajayi, M. P. and Amoo, Emmanuel O. and Iruonagbe, C. T. and Adekeye, Olujide A (2019) Barriers to the Utilization of Mental Healthcare Services in South West, Nigeria: Gender Implications. The UB Journal of Psicologia, 50 (2). pp. 98-102.

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Abstract

Ease of access to healthcare facilities was presented as a major factor in the use of healthcare services in developing countries, particularly Nigeria. Many interacting factors, including access, availability, gender referral practices, and help-seeking preferences, affect the use of mental healthcare services. Although there are studies on the use of mental health services, gender differentials have received little attention. Therefore, this study examined gender dimensions in the use of mental health services in South West, Nigeria, using triangulated qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. The data were based on a cross-sectional community survey and four neuropsychiatric hospitals in Nigeria’s Ogun State. The sample was 967 randomly selected adults. Five in-depth interviews were conducted among caregivers of mentally ill persons (PLWMI) residing in the study area (those receiving treatment and those recovering). Using descriptive and inferential statistics, quantitative data were analyzed while content was analyzed. Results from this study showed that the respondents’ average age was 22.2 years. Of the total, 52.2 percent were female, while 45.8 percent were male. On the use of mental health services, 26.4 percent and 73.6 percent of male and female respondents, respectively, indicated that the use of mental health services was hampered by funding. From the study, it can be concluded that women are more intoned with the reality of their dependents’ disease condition as they bear more of both the financial (73.6 percent) and emotional burden of managing people living with mental illness (PLWMI).

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: gender differentials, mental illness, utilization, mental healthcare services, Ogun State.
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Divisions: Faculty of Law, Arts and Social Sciences > School of Social Sciences
Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: Mrs Patricia Nwokealisi
Date Deposited: 04 Dec 2020 16:21
Last Modified: 04 Dec 2020 16:21
URI: http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/id/eprint/13772

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