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Ghori ETR, Zuberi MAW, Dave T, Shaikh VF. Addressing the stigma and promoting awareness: Electroconvulsive therapy in Pakistan. Health Sci Rep 2024; 7:e2197. [PMID: 38863731 PMCID: PMC11165167 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.2197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tirth Dave
- Department of MedicineBukovinian State Medical UniversityChernivtsiUkraine
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2
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Faruk MO, Khan AH, Chowdhury KUA, Jahan S, Sarker DC, Colucci E, Hasan MT. Mental illness stigma in Bangladesh: Findings from a cross-sectional survey. Glob Ment Health (Camb) 2023; 10:e59. [PMID: 37854431 PMCID: PMC10579681 DOI: 10.1017/gmh.2023.56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Mental illness stigma is universally prevalent and a significant barrier to achieving global mental health goals. Mental illness stigma in Bangladesh has gained little attention despite its widespread impact on seeking mental health care in rural and urban areas. This study aimed to investigate mental illness stigma and the associated factors in rural and urban areas of Bangladesh. Methods The study areas were divided into several clusters from which 325 participants (≥18 years) were recruited with systematic random sampling. The Bangla version of the Days' Mental Illness Stigma Scale was used to collect data. Independent-samples t-test, ANOVA, and multiple regression were performed. Results Results suggest that gender, age, geographical location, socioeconomic status, and occupation significantly differed across subscales of stigma. Age, gender, seeking treatment of mental illness, having knowledge on mental health, and socioeconomic status were predictive factors of mental illness stigma. The results also showed a high treatment gap in both rural and urban areas. Conclusion This study supports that mental illness stigma is prevalent in Bangladesh, requiring coordinated efforts. Results can inform the development of contextually tailored mental health strategies to reduce stigma and contribute to the promotion of mental health of individuals and communities across Bangladesh.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Omar Faruk
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Abid Hasan Khan
- Department of Public Health and Informatics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Kamal Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Nasirullah Psychotherapy Unit, Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Sabiha Jahan
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Depon Chandra Sarker
- Child Development Center, Department of Pediatrics, Satkhira Medical College and Hospital, Satkhira, Bangladesh
| | | | - M. Tasdik Hasan
- Action Lab, Department of Human Centred Computing, Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Public Health, State University of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Shah SM, Sun T, Xu W, Jiang W, Yuan Y. The mental health of China and Pakistan, mental health laws and COVID-19 mental health policies: a comparative review. Gen Psychiatr 2022; 35:e100885. [PMID: 36506889 PMCID: PMC9676995 DOI: 10.1136/gpsych-2022-100885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mental health is one of the major causes of disability worldwide, and mental health problems such as depression and anxiety are ranked among the top 25 leading causes of disease burden in the world. This burden is considerable over the lifetime of both men and women and in various settings and ages. This study aims to compare the mental health status of people in China and Pakistan and to highlight the mental health laws and policies during COVID-19 and afterwards. According to the literature on mental health, before the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health problems increased gradually, but during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, an abrupt surge occurred in mental health problems. To overcome mental health disorders, most (but not all) countries have mental health laws, but some countries ignore mental health disorders. China is one such country that has mental health laws and policies and, during the COVID-19 pandemic, China made beneficial and robust policies and laws, thereby succeeding in defeating the COVID-19 pandemic. The mortality rate and financial loss were also lower than in other countries. While Pakistan has mental health laws and general health policies, the law is only limited to paperwork and books. When it came to COVID-19, Pakistan did not make any specific laws to overcome the virus. Mental health problems are greater in Pakistan than in China, and China's mental health laws and policies are more robust and more widely implemented than those in Pakistan. We conclude that there are fewer mental health issues in China than in Pakistan both before and since the COVID-19 pandemic. China has strong mental health laws and these are robustly implemented, while the mental health law in Pakistan is not applied in practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Mudasser Shah
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Taipeng Sun
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenhao Jiang
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yonggui Yuan
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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Ittefaq M, Ahmad Kamboh S, Iqbal A, Iftikhar U, Abwao M, Arif R. Understanding public reactions to state security officials' suicide cases in online news comments. DEATH STUDIES 2022; 47:499-508. [PMID: 35854472 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2022.2101074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Little is known about public reactions to state security officials' suicide in Muslim countries like Pakistan. To explore readers' reactions in online comments, we analyzed 1,765 comments related to 10 news stories about suicide published in five mainstream English newspapers. The findings revealed six themes: stress, depression, and mental health issues; controversial investigation reports and misinformation; need for stronger accountability to address corruption in the country; criticizing media and security institutions; sympathy for the deceased and their families; and suicide and Islam. We recommend that suicide prevention organizations should monitor audience comments to devise and suggest resources for the public.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Ittefaq
- School of Communication Studies, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Azhar Iqbal
- School of Media and Communication Studies, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Urwah Iftikhar
- Department of Mass Communication, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Mauryne Abwao
- Department of Arts and Media, Louisiana State University, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - Rauf Arif
- Department of Mass Communication, Towson University, Towson, Maryland, USA
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5
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Munawar K, Mukhtar F, Choudhry FR, Ng ALO. Mental health literacy: A systematic review of knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders in Malaysia. Asia Pac Psychiatry 2022; 14:e12475. [PMID: 33963816 DOI: 10.1111/appy.12475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mental health problems in Malaysia are on a rise. This study aimed at performing a systematic review of mental health literacy (MHL) in Malaysia. METHODS Medline, Embase, ERIC/Proquest, ScienceDirect, Pubmed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, EBM Reviews - Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid Emcare and reference lists of included studies were searched in February 2020. Studies that evaluated at least one of the main components of MHL, including (1) knowledge related to mental health issues, and (2) stigma, were included irrespective of study design. As secondary findings, the review also synthesized results related to facilitators and barriers to seeking mental health services. Depending on the research design, the quality of each study was assessed through checklists. RESULTS Forty six studies published between 1995 to 2019 were included. Most studies used cross-sectional designs to investigate MHL. Findings indicate that most Malaysians have stigmatizing attitudes towards mental health problems. Participants in the included studies endorsed multifactorial explanations of mental health issues with a dominance of supernatural and religious aetiologies. Likewise, the commonest barrier was considering sources other than professional sources of mental-health services. Presence of adequate knowledge and considering providers as competent facilitated help-seeking. Additionally, there was considerable heterogeneity in studies and a lack of standardized measures assessing MHL. CONCLUSIONS There is an increase in studies on MHL in Malaysia. A few of these studies, based on experimental design, have shown positive effects. Researchers, practitioners, and policymakers should develop standardized measures and interventional studies based on all the components of MHL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khadeeja Munawar
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences & Liberal Arts, UCSI University Malaysia, UCSI Heights 1, Jalan Puncak Menara Gading, Taman Connaught, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Firdaus Mukhtar
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
| | - Fahad Riaz Choudhry
- Department of Psychology, Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Alvin Lai Oon Ng
- Department of Psychology, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, 5, Jalan Universiti, Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
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Choudhry FR, Khan N, Munawar K. Barriers and facilitators to mental health care: A systematic review in Pakistan. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/00207411.2021.1941563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Fahad Riaz Choudhry
- Department of Psychology, Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nashi Khan
- Project Director/ Dean, FSS, Rashid Latif Khan University & Director, Counselling & Wellness Centre (CWC), Rashid Latif Medical Complex (RLMC), Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Khadeeja Munawar
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences & Liberal Arts, UCSI University, No. 1, Jalan Menara Gading, UCSI Heights (Taman Connaught), Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Safdar M, Afzal KI, Smith Z, Ali F, Zarif P, Baig ZF. Suicide by poisoning in Pakistan: review of regional trends, toxicity and management of commonly used agents in the past three decades. BJPsych Open 2021; 7:e114. [PMID: 34134811 PMCID: PMC8240123 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2021.923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suicide is one of the leading mental health crises and takes one life every 40 seconds. Four out of every five suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries. Despite religion being a protective factor against suicide, the estimated number of suicides is rapidly increasing in Pakistan. AIMS Our review focuses on the trends of suicide and means of self-poisoning in the past three decades, and the management of commonly used poisons. METHOD We searched two electronic databases (PubMed and PakMediNet) for published English-language studies describing agents used for suicide in different regions of Pakistan. A total of 46 out of 85 papers (N = 54 747 cases) met our inclusion criteria. RESULTS Suicidal behaviour was more common among individuals younger than 30 years. Females comprised 60% of those who attempted suicide in our study sample, although the ratio of completed suicides favoured males. There were regional trends in the choice of agent for overdose. Organophosphate poisoning was reported across the nation, with a predominance of cases from the agricultural belt of South Punjab and interior Sindh. Aluminium phosphide ('wheat pills') was a preferred agent in North Punjab, whereas paraphenylenediamine ('kala pathar') was implicated in deaths by suicide from South Punjab. Urban areas had other means for suicide, including household chemicals, benzodiazepines, kerosene oil and rat poison. CONCLUSIONS Urgent steps are needed, including psychoeducational campaigns on mental health and suicide, staff training, medical resources for prompt treatment of self-poisoning and updated governmental policy to regulate pesticide sales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Safdar
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Postgraduate Medical Institute, Pakistan
| | - Khalid Imran Afzal
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Zoe Smith
- Department of Psychology, Loyola University, Illinois, USA
| | - Filza Ali
- Department of Forensic Medicine, CMH Multan Institute of Medical Sciences, Pakistan
| | - Pervaiz Zarif
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Postgraduate Medical Institute, Pakistan
| | - Zahid Farooq Baig
- Department of Medicine, CMH Lahore Medical College and Institute of Dentistry, Pakistan
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Rahmanian P, Munawar K, Mukhtar F, Choudhry FR. Prevalence of mental health problems in women in polygamous versus monogamous marriages: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Womens Ment Health 2021; 24:339-351. [PMID: 33000343 DOI: 10.1007/s00737-020-01070-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
While some studies suggest different mental health outcomes among women in polygamous versus monogamous marriages, no published systematic review or meta-analysis has analyzed the relevant research literature. This article aims to review the evidence of marriage types (i.e., polygamous and monogamous marriages) and differences in the prevalence of mental health issues. Eleven electronic databases, along with further identified references lists, were searched. Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. They included 3166 participants, and 986 women were in a polygamous marriage. All studies were rated for quality and were tested for publication bias. Meta-analyses were conducted on the five symptoms to assess for the effect of marriage type. The studies indicate a significant association of marriage type with psychological symptoms. The meta-analysis indicates that women in polygamous marriage had worsened mental health as compared with women in monogamous marriages. The weighted mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were somatization 0.53, 0.44-0.63; obsession-compulsion 0.35, 0.14-0.56; interpersonal sensitivity 0.42, 0.12-0.73; depression 0.41, 0.15-0.67; anxiety 0.41, 0.15-0.68; hostility = 0.47, 0.28-0.66; phobic anxiety 0.39, 0.17-0.61; paranoid ideation 0.35, 0.24-0.47; psychoticism 0.41, 0.23, 0.59; and Global Severity Index (GSI) 0.43, 0.25-0.60. A higher self-esteem and life satisfaction among women in polygamous marriages and statistically superior family functioning among women in monogamous marriages were also found. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the marital satisfaction of women in polygamous versus monogamous marriages. Results are consistent with the existing research on the prevalence of mental health issues among women in polygamous marriages. Nonetheless, these women were found to have elevated self-esteem and life satisfaction than women in monogamous marriages. Directions for future research are indicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parisa Rahmanian
- Zahedan Medical School, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Khadeeja Munawar
- Department of Psychology, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Firdaus Mukhtar
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Fahad Riaz Choudhry
- Department of Psychology, Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, 53100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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9
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Bokharey IZ, Fahim U, Tahir K. Family Conflicts Are Bitter Splits That Hurt: A Qualitative Inquiry Toward Understanding the Impact of Family Issues in Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder. Front Psychol 2021; 12:652917. [PMID: 34108912 PMCID: PMC8180856 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.652917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder (FNSD) or Conversion Disorder, is a fairly common diagnosis among mental health patients in Pakistan. Despite its prevalence there's a dearth of research on the phenomenon, particularly on the experience of FNSD. The study was conducted with the aim to ascertain the lived experiences of individuals with Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder (FNSD) around stressful situations in their families in Pakistan. For this purpose, a total sample of 10 participants (Women = 8; Men = 2) were recruited from the psychiatry department of a tertiary care hospital in Lahore, Pakistan. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The two main themes revealed in the analyses were quarrels and unexpressed emotions. The sub-themes of quarrels included quarrels with family members, quarrels within family, parental/marital discord, and quarrels with extended family members. The subthemes for unexpressed emotions were hurt, anger, sadness, and jealousy. In conclusion, this study revealed that in Pakistan, stressors related to family serve as significant contributing factors in the development of FNSD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Urusa Fahim
- Academic Dean Humanities and Social Sciences, Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Khola Tahir
- Department of Psychology, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
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Zeng LN, Zong QQ, Yang Y, Zhang L, Xiang YF, Ng CH, Chen LG, Xiang YT. Gender Difference in the Prevalence of Insomnia: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:577429. [PMID: 33329116 PMCID: PMC7714764 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.577429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Insomnia is a major health challenge in the general population, but the results of the gender differences in the epidemiology of insomnia have been mixed. This is a meta-analysis to examine the gender difference in the prevalence of insomnia among the general population. Methods:Two reviewers independently searched relevant publications in PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Science from their inception to 16 April 2019. Studies that reported the gender-based prevalence of insomnia according to the international diagnostic criteria were included for analyses using the random-effects model. Results:Eventually 13 articles were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of insomnia in the general population was 22.0% [n = 22,980, 95% confidence interval (CI): 17.0-28.0%], and females had a significantly higher prevalence of insomnia compared with males (OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.35, 1.85, Z = 5.63, p < 0.0001). Subgroup analyses showed that greater gender difference was associated with the use of case-control study design and consecutive sampling method. Meta-regression analyses also revealed that higher proportion of females and better study quality were significantly associated with greater gender difference. Conclusions:This meta-analysis found that the prevalence of insomnia in females was significantly higher than males in the included studies. Due to the negative effects of insomnia on health, regular screening, and effective interventions should be implemented in the general population particularly for females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang-Nan Zeng
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,Neurosurgery Clinical Medical Research Center of Sichuan Province, Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, China.,Unit of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Macau, Macao, China.,Center for Cognition and Brain Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China.,Institute of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China
| | - Qian-Qian Zong
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital & the Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Yang
- Unit of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Macau, Macao, China.,Center for Cognition and Brain Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China.,Institute of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital & the Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | | | - Chee H Ng
- Department of Psychiatry, The Melbourne Clinic and St. Vincent's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Li-Gang Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,Neurosurgery Clinical Medical Research Center of Sichuan Province, Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, China
| | - Yu-Tao Xiang
- Unit of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Macau, Macao, China.,Center for Cognition and Brain Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
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