Socio-Demographic Correlates of Mental Health Help-Seeking Behaviour among Adults Attending Nyeri County Referral Hospital

Abstract

One of the possible explanations for the low uptake of mental health services is the help-seeking behaviors of people with mental health problems. This study therefore sought to establish socio-demographic correlates of help-seeking behaviour among adults attending Nyeri County Referral Hospital. The study was anchored in the health belief model, theory of planned behavior and the social cognitive theory. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design. The study targeted adults attending Nyeri County Referral Hospital. Purposeful sampling was used in the study to form a sample of 200 respondents. The study collected primary data using a researcher administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was a modified version of the General Help- Seeking Questionnaire (GHSQ). Descriptive methods comprising frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation were used to organise findings. Chi-square tests were used to find relationships and therefore test the hypotheses. Analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) at 95% confidence level. Findings were presented using tables and figures. Chi-square analysis showed that there was a significant relationship [X2 (21) = 56.976, p= 0.000, v= 0.549] between age and seeking mental health help from a friend. Similarly, there was a significant relationship [X2 (21) = 37.530, p=0.015, v= 0.442] between age and seeking mental health help from other relatives or family members. There was a significant relationship (X2 (3) = 10.368, p= 0.016, v= 0.234) between gender and seeking mental health help from parent. No significant associations were found between level of education and help seeking intentions. Significant associations were found between socio-economic status and mental health seeking help from parents (X2 (15) = 27.254, p= 0.027, v=0.027) and between socio-economic status and mental health seeking help from relatives or family members (X2 (15) = 35.708, p= 0.002, v=0.511). The study concludes that although mental health seeking behaviour is low help-seeking intentions are high. Socio-demographic characteristics influencing mental health help-seeking behaviour among adults attending Nyeri County Referral include age, gender and socio-economic status. Age and socio-economic status are the most influencing of the socio-demographic characteristics considered for this study. The study recommended that public health officials should diversify the channels of health messages on mental health services to reach majority of people including those with low education. It was also recommended that health costs associated with mental health services should be subsidized to make them affordable to people of low socio-economic status who make the majority.