Date of Award

12-2024

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MS in Public Health

First Advisor

Dr. Muhammad Masood Kadir

Second Advisor

Mr. Syed Iqbal Azam

Third Advisor

Dr. Batool Fatima

Department

Community Health Sciences

Abstract

Introduction: Mental health is a global concern in the current health landscape. In Pakistan, mental health disorders have notably increased over the past years. Mental health literacy is an important determinant of mental health, as it not only helps recognize mental health disorders and health seeking behaviors but it has the potential to shape positive attitudes towards people with mental illness. Assessing this relation in non-medical students is essential, as they have limited awareness of mental health issues. This study aims to highlight the gaps in awareness and contribute to reducing the stigma regarding mental illness in a vulnerable population such as young adults.
Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess the relationship between mental health literacy and attitudes towards people with mental illness among non-medical university students of Karachi, Pakistan and to assess the effect of gender on the association between mental health literacy and attitudes towards people with mental illness among non-medical university students of Karachi, Pakistan. 
Methods: This study was an analytical cross-sectional study and purposive sampling was used to recruit study sample from non-medical universities of Karachi, Pakistan. A total of 337 students aged 18-25 years, who met the eligibility criteria were recruited in the study. The relationship between mental health literacy and attitude towards people with mental illness was assessed through the Mental Health Literacy Short Version for Adults’ questionnaire and the Attitude towards People with Mental Illness questionnaire. Statistical analysis was carried out using STATA version 17. The data was analyzed using multiple linear regression.
Results: The study reported a linear relationship between mental health literacy and positive attitude towards people with mental illness. The results of this study also noted that consuming content regarding mental health (Coefficient: 2.65; 95% Confidence interval =1.20, 4.10) was also associated with positive attitude towards people with mental illness. However, gender was not observed to affect the association between mental health literacy and attitude towards people with mental illness. Students pursing business degrees (Coefficient: 2.01; 95% Confidence interval =0.11, 3.91), higher socioeconomic status (Coefficient: 2.59; 95% Confidence interval P a g e 6 | 79 =0.53, 4.66), time spent on social media (Coefficient: 2.17; 95% Confidence interval=0.32, 4.03) were also significantly associated with positive attitude towards people with mental illness. A significant interaction between religion and mental health literacy was found at p value of 0.1.  
Conclusion: The findings of this study highlighted the linear relationship between mental health literacy and positive attitudes towards people with mental illness among non-medical university students aged between 18-25 years. This study also highlighted the importance of social media in shaping positive attitudes towards people with mental illness. For non-medical students, who do not have exposure to mental health education, it is important to add mental health in their university curriculum, so that students can create a positive environment for people with mental illness. This will not only make universities’ environment better, but it will also help in the betterment of society.

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