Batch 5

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http://dspace.napata.edu.sd/handle/123456789/413

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Browsing Batch 5 by Author "Awab Hisham Al-tayeb Haroun"

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    Perception of Mental Health Stigma Among Young Adults Aged 18–25 in Khartoum, Sudan (2025)
    (Napata College, 2025) Sireen ismail Ali Saadeldin; Hajar Salah Eldien Hassan Haroun; Awab Hisham Al-tayeb Haroun
    Background This study explores how young adults in Sudan perceive mental health and its associated stigma, shaped by conflict, displacement, and cultural norms. Focusing on both displaced and non-displaced individuals in Khartoum, it highlights the urgent need for context-sensitive strategies to reduce stigma and improve mental well-being. Objective To explore and understand the perceptions of mental health stigma among young adults aged 18 to 25 in Khartoum in 2025, with the aim of identifying key cultural, social, and contextual factors influencing stigma and informing effective, locally relevant mental health strategies. Materials and methods This is a cross-sectional study conducted in 2025 and covered 216 young adults aged 18–25, randomly recruited from Khartoum, Sudan. Data were collected using online, closed-ended standardized questionnaires. The questionnaire was coordinated and supervised by the Research Team Members to maintain consistency and data quality throughout the process. Results Atotal of 216 young adults participated in the study. The majority were aged between 21 and 25 years, with females comprising 61% of the sample. Most participants (93%) had been displaced due to conflict, and 94% had received a university or college education. About 65% were students, while 14% were unemployed. Regarding awareness of mental health stigma, 66% had heard of the term, while 14.4% reported not knowing what it meant, and 18.5% provided unrelated responses. Furthermore, 79% believed that mental health conditions are treated differently than physical health conditions in their communities. Over 80% perceived stigma in Khartoum to be strong or very strong, and most described the general public’s attitude toward mental illness as negative. Cultural beliefs (69%) and religion (57%) were reported as key influences shaping perceptions of mental health. Additionally, 82% of participants associated mental illness with supernatural causes. Education level was noted to have a significant impact on perception, and 55% had been exposed to mental health discussions during school or university. IV When asked about the impact of stigma, 87% believed it reduced young adults’ willingness to seek help. Among those who felt they needed support, 48.1% had avoided seeking care due to fear of judgment. Discrimination in social and professional settings was acknowledged by 69% of respondents. In terms of lived experience, 15.2% reported experiencing trauma. Among them, 48.4% said it came from peers (e.g., friends or classmates), 33.3% from family members, and 18.8% from workplaces.