Assessment of attitudes toward schizophrenia in tunisian family medicine residents

• Published in: European psychiatry Vol. 64; no. S1; p. S403
• Main Authors: Abassi, B., Fekih-Romdhane, F., Fayhaa, H., Ghrissi, F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Paris Cambridge University Press 01-04-2021
• Subjects: Abstract; Attitudes; E-Poster Presentation; Schizophrenia; schizophrénia; Tunisian family medicine residents
• ISSN: 0924-9338; 1778-3585
• DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2021.1080

IntroductionAssessing the attitudes of family medicine residents toward schizophrenia is of greatest concern since family physicians potentially have a key role in identifying the signs and symptoms of schizophrenia at earlier stages and in engaging young people in treatment, especially in low- and middle-income countries.ObjectivesWe aimed to investigate attitudes towards schizophrenia in a group of Tunisian family medicine residents, and to examine the link between these attitudes and help-seeking intentions in this group.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional survey. A 18-item questionnaire concerning attitudes toward schizophrenia was used.ResultsA total of 88% participants have reported favorable help-seeking intentions. In total, 48.4% of residents would oppose if one of their relatives would like to marry someone who has schizophrenia, and 37.1% of them would not like to have a neighbor with schizophrenia. Only about a half of residents agreed that “schizophrenia has the chance of recovery”, and 68.8% thought that “schizophrenia can be treated”. Pearson correlations found a significant negative relationship between age and social distance in residents (p<.001). Year of residency was significantly associated with attitudes toward schizophrenia, with more unfavorable attitudes in third-year residents (p=.042). After controlling for potentially confounding sociodemographic variables, help-seeking intentions did not contribute to the prediction of attitudes toward schizophrenia in the residents.ConclusionsImplementing anti-stigma programs in medical schools may help improve future physicians’ attitudes and prepare them to provide primary mental health care to young help-seekers with psychosis should be given priority attention.