Mental Health Literacy among Accredited Social Health Activists in a Community Development Block, West Bengal, India: A Mixed-method Study
Introduction: Mental health disorders significantly impact global health, yet they remain a low priority in many Low-and-Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), including India. The role of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) is crucial in bridging the gaps in Mental Health Literacy (MHL) care. Aim...
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JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
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| Online Access: | https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/20481/75726_CE[Ra1]_F(IS)_QC(PS_IS)_PF1(AG_SL)_PFA(SS)_PB(AG_IS)_PN(IS).pdf |
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| author | Ankita Moulik Santanu Ghosh Amrita Samanta |
| author_facet | Ankita Moulik Santanu Ghosh Amrita Samanta |
| author_sort | Ankita Moulik |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Mental health disorders significantly impact global health, yet they remain a low priority in many Low-and-Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), including India. The role of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) is crucial in bridging the gaps in Mental Health Literacy (MHL) care.
Aim: To assess the MHL of ASHAs and to determine any association between MHL scores and the socio-economic and socio-demographic determinants of the study participants.
Materials and Methods: This mixed-method study was conducted in the Barrackpore II block of the North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, India between July and September 2023. A cross-sectional descriptive approach was used for the quantitative segment, while two Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted for the qualitative component. The sample size was 67, selected by simple random sampling. Socio-economic and socio-demographic data were collected using a standardised validated questionnaire, and MHL data were gathered using the revised Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS) questionnaire. FGDs were conducted using a pretested, predesigned FGD guide. Data were analysed using Jamovi (v2.4.8). An Independent samples t-test was performed, with p-value <0.05 considered significant.
Results: The mean age of participants was 37±13.5 years, with 70.1% being Hindus and 47.8% being unreserved. The MHL score ranged from 50 to 115. The Independent samples t-test revealed a statistically significant difference in means between the two age groups (less than 38 years vs. 38 years or older). There was also a statistically significant difference in MHL scores between the two caste categories (p-value=0.006) and among different years of work experience (p-value <0.001). FGDs revealed low mental health awareness among ASHAs and villagers.
Conclusion: The MHL status of ASHAs was low, mainly due to a lack of training. Further research and training for healthcare workers are needed to improve MHL. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3e23470ac07141019d5428f829f520d1 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2249-782X 0973-709X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited |
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| series | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-3e23470ac07141019d5428f829f520d12025-01-15T11:34:03ZengJCDR Research and Publications Private LimitedJournal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research2249-782X0973-709X2025-01-011901121610.7860/JCDR/2025/75726.20481Mental Health Literacy among Accredited Social Health Activists in a Community Development Block, West Bengal, India: A Mixed-method StudyAnkita Moulik0Santanu Ghosh1Amrita Samanta2Junior Resident, Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine and Sagore Dutta Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine and Sagore Dutta Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Raiganj Government Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.Introduction: Mental health disorders significantly impact global health, yet they remain a low priority in many Low-and-Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), including India. The role of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) is crucial in bridging the gaps in Mental Health Literacy (MHL) care. Aim: To assess the MHL of ASHAs and to determine any association between MHL scores and the socio-economic and socio-demographic determinants of the study participants. Materials and Methods: This mixed-method study was conducted in the Barrackpore II block of the North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, India between July and September 2023. A cross-sectional descriptive approach was used for the quantitative segment, while two Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted for the qualitative component. The sample size was 67, selected by simple random sampling. Socio-economic and socio-demographic data were collected using a standardised validated questionnaire, and MHL data were gathered using the revised Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS) questionnaire. FGDs were conducted using a pretested, predesigned FGD guide. Data were analysed using Jamovi (v2.4.8). An Independent samples t-test was performed, with p-value <0.05 considered significant. Results: The mean age of participants was 37±13.5 years, with 70.1% being Hindus and 47.8% being unreserved. The MHL score ranged from 50 to 115. The Independent samples t-test revealed a statistically significant difference in means between the two age groups (less than 38 years vs. 38 years or older). There was also a statistically significant difference in MHL scores between the two caste categories (p-value=0.006) and among different years of work experience (p-value <0.001). FGDs revealed low mental health awareness among ASHAs and villagers. Conclusion: The MHL status of ASHAs was low, mainly due to a lack of training. Further research and training for healthcare workers are needed to improve MHL.https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/20481/75726_CE[Ra1]_F(IS)_QC(PS_IS)_PF1(AG_SL)_PFA(SS)_PB(AG_IS)_PN(IS).pdfcommunity health workerscommunity mental health servicesprimary healthcare |
| spellingShingle | Ankita Moulik Santanu Ghosh Amrita Samanta Mental Health Literacy among Accredited Social Health Activists in a Community Development Block, West Bengal, India: A Mixed-method Study Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research community health workers community mental health services primary healthcare |
| title | Mental Health Literacy among Accredited Social Health Activists in a Community Development Block, West Bengal, India: A Mixed-method Study |
| title_full | Mental Health Literacy among Accredited Social Health Activists in a Community Development Block, West Bengal, India: A Mixed-method Study |
| title_fullStr | Mental Health Literacy among Accredited Social Health Activists in a Community Development Block, West Bengal, India: A Mixed-method Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mental Health Literacy among Accredited Social Health Activists in a Community Development Block, West Bengal, India: A Mixed-method Study |
| title_short | Mental Health Literacy among Accredited Social Health Activists in a Community Development Block, West Bengal, India: A Mixed-method Study |
| title_sort | mental health literacy among accredited social health activists in a community development block west bengal india a mixed method study |
| topic | community health workers community mental health services primary healthcare |
| url | https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/20481/75726_CE[Ra1]_F(IS)_QC(PS_IS)_PF1(AG_SL)_PFA(SS)_PB(AG_IS)_PN(IS).pdf |
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