EFFECTS OF PSYCHIATRIC CLINICAL EXPERIENCE ON KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTIONS, AND ATTITUDES TOWARD PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AMONG STUDENTS IN AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA
Main Article Content
Keywords
Mental illness, Nursing students, Psychiatric clinical placement, Knowledge, Perception, Attitude, Stigma, Nigeria.
Abstract
Background: Mental illness remains highly stigmatized globally despite increasing awareness of its burden. Clinical students play a critical role in mental healthcare delivery; however, misconceptions and negative attitudes toward people living with mental illness may compromise quality of care. This study assessed changes in knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of nursing students before and after psychiatric clinical experience in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Methods: A pre–post quasi-experimental study was conducted among Year-2 nursing students in Akwa Ibom State. Participants completed structured questionnaires before and after an eight-week psychiatric clinical placement. Data collected included socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of mental illness, perceptions of mental illness, and attitudes toward people with mental illness across six domains: benevolence, separatism, stereotyping, restrictiveness, pessimistic prediction, and stigmatization. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics, while paired t-tests assessed changes between pre- and post-placement scores. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.
Results: A total of 290 students completed the pre-test and 281 completed the post-test assessment. Before clinical placement, 71% of participants demonstrated low knowledge of mental illness; following placement, approximately 72% attained high knowledge levels. Mean knowledge scores increased significantly from 12.64±2.0 to 14.14±1.9 (t=9.44, p=0.001). Perception scores also improved significantly from 24.34±3.5 to 26.63±2.6 (t=8.37, p=0.001). The proportion of students exhibiting positive perceptions increased from 31% before placement to 68% after placement. However, no significant changes were observed across attitude domains including benevolence, separatism, stereotyping, restrictiveness, pessimistic prediction, and stigmatization (all p>0.05).
Conclusion: Psychiatric clinical experience significantly improved nursing students’ knowledge and perceptions regarding mental illness but had limited influence on deeply rooted attitudinal dimensions. Nursing curricula should incorporate targeted anti-stigma interventions alongside clinical placements to facilitate meaningful attitudinal change..
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Peace N. Iheanacho
Department of Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria
Inimfon Christopher Nicholas
Department of Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria
Obiageli T. Madu
Department of Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria
Pleasure N. Ogbonna
Department of Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria
Ngozi P. Ogbonnaya
Department of Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria
Udunma O. Chijioke
Department of Health Administration and Management, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria;
Nneka Ubochi
Department of Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria
Maranatha Anudu
Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria
Echezona N.D. Ekechukwu.
Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria
Occupational and Environmental Health Unit, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria;
LANCET Physiotherapy, Wellness, and Research Centre, Enugu, Nigeria.
