International Journal of Emergency Mental Health and Human Resilience
Open Access

Abstract

Objective: This study was aimed at assessing the perception of parents about psychiatric illness of children and adolescents and their preferred treatment options in Jimma, Ethiopia. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 532 parents in Jimma City, Ethiopia from April to May 2013. Parents were invited to assess their knowledge on manifestations and causes of psychiatric illness in children and adolescents as well as their preferred treatment options if their children exhibited signs and symptoms of mental illness. Results: Externalizing behavioral symptoms like â�?�?stealing from home, school or elsewhereâ�? and internalizing symptoms like â�?�?being nervous in new situations and easily loses confidenceâ�? were perceived by 60.9 and 38.2% of the parents, respectively. Magic, curse and sin were mentioned as causes of mental health problems by 93.2%, 81.8% and 73.9% of the parents, respectively. Nearly three quarters of the parents identified genetic factors while approximately 20 % of them mentioned neuro-chemical disturbance as possible causes of their childrenâ�?�?s mental health problems. The majority (92.7 %) of parents agreed that they would seek treatment either from religious or spiritual healers if their children developed mental illness. Conclusions: The level of awareness about externalizing symptoms is high. Treatment options are at best developed within the context of classrooms. Preference for traditional treatment options might present significant challenges to utilization of child and adolescent mental health services in this population. Public health intervention programs targeting parental understanding of child and adolescent mental health problems need to be designed and evaluated for their effectiveness in low-income settings. Cooperation with religious and spiritual leaders should also be established.

Biography

Email: abmubarek@yahoo.com