SOCIO-CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS AFFECTING HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIOUR ON MENTAL ILLNESS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Mental illness as a form of deviant behaviour that has failed to conform to the conventional norms is full of complexities and many uncertainties which therefore is disvalued by society. People suffering from mental illness have a number of ways of seeking for treatment, either from hospital, traditional, or spiritual. They may follow all of the above mentioned steps, or perhaps only one or two of them or may follow them in any order. Against this background, this study examined socio-cultural and economic factors affecting health seeking behaviour on mental illness in Nigeria. The study was a cross – sectional design. A survey of 1200 respondents from two selected south eastern states was used. Finding revealed that cost of treatment, distance to treatment facilities, efficacy of treatment method, attitude of personnel, and access to treatment facility were hindrances / factors affecting health seeking behaviour behaviour on mental illness. Hence, recommendations were made to reduce these constraints.