Table 3.
Primary health care (PHC) worker knowledge about the causes of, and risk factors for, mental illness (n = 151)
| Reported risk factors | n (%) |
|---|---|
|
Supernatural
|
|
| Evil eye |
34 (22.5) |
| Evil spirit |
20 (13.2) |
| Attack from the devil |
26 (17.2) |
| Magic |
44 (29.1) |
| Due to sins committed |
18 (11.9) |
| Will of God |
20 (13.0) |
| Curse |
31 (20.5) |
|
Biological
|
|
| Genetic exposure |
87 (57.6) |
| Use of psychoactive substances |
144 (95.4) |
| Neurochemical imbalance |
123 (81.5) |
|
Psychosocial
|
|
| Financial constraint |
87 (57.6) |
| Loss of loved one |
86 (57.0) |
| Academic failure |
86 (57.0) |
| Conflict in marriage |
104 (68.9) |
| Unemployment |
86 (57.0) |
| Divorce |
99 (65.6) |
| Work overload |
69 (45.7) |
| Physical or sexual abuse | 120 (79.5) |