Evaluating mental health literacy in a university hospital: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: Mental state and social condition are integrally linked to a person’s physical health. The present study investigates the mental health literacy levels of patients aged 30–50 years who presented to the outpatient clinics of training and research hospital, as well as the relationship between mental health literacy and sociodemographic characteristics. Material and Method: This cross-sectional study included 522 patients aged 30–50 years who presented to the Adult Outpatient Clinics of Karabuk University Training and Research Hospital between October and December 2021. The participants were administered a two-part, 33-item face-to-face questionnaire, in which the first part included 11 items assessing sociodemographic characteristics, and the second part included a 22-item scale comprising three (knowledge, belief, and resource-oriented) subscales for the measurement of the level of Mental Health Literacy (MHL). Results: The mean scores of knowledge, belief and resource-oriented subscales were 8.92±0.98, 1.16±0.92 and 3.37±0.71, respectively, and the mean total MHL scale score was 13.46±1.39. The participants' education level, employment status, financial status, presence of chronic and psychiatric diseases, and psychiatric medication were significantly associated with the MHL scale scores (p=0.013, p=0.023, p=0.024, p=0.000, p=0.000 and p= 0.000, respectively). Conclusion: As the level of MHL increases, so does the person’s awareness of the symptoms of mental health disorders and the correct use of appropriate treatment resources. It is believed that training programs aimed at improving mental health literacy will improve health-related social outcomes, thereby reducing the burden of disease.