KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH AMONG UNDERGRADUATE NURSING STUDENTS IN PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Background: Mental health literacy plays a vital role in nursing students’ lives. It can help students in recognizing mental health conditions and seek professional help which can improve their academic performance. As a future healthcare professional, nurses must possess adequate knowledge to treat patients with mental health disorders. It has been observed that the mental health knowledge and awareness of most nursing students is insufficient, which needs more attention from educational and healthcare authorities.

Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the level of knowledge and awareness regarding mental health among undergraduate student nurses in Peshawar.

Methods: This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional study with a sample size of 169 students. Convenient sampling technique was used. Data was collected using an adopted questionnaire and was analyzed using SPSS Version 22.

Results: Age of participants was between 20-28 on average. Majority of participants were male 152(89.9%), while females were 17(10.1%). Of the total 52% (88) showed higher level while 48% (81) showed lower level of knowledge. This study revealed that 74% (125) of the participants exhibited a high awareness level, while 26% (44) had a low awareness level.

Conclusion: The study concluded that level of knowledge and awareness regarding mental health is not adequate among the nursing students. Knowledge and awareness campaign must be started by colleges and government so that the mental health literacy of nursing students may be improved.