A comparative study of knowledge and attitude of urban and rural dwellers towards vagrant sufferers of schizophrenia in Delta State of Nigeria

Abstract

This study aimed at assessing comparatively knowledge of schizophrenia and attitudes towards vagrant sufferers in urban and rural areas of the state. The sample of 583 and 120 respondents from urban and rural areas were drawn using the multi-stage sampling technique. The administered structured questionnaire consisted of respondents‘ socio-demographics, knowledge of schizophrenia, and attitude towards vagrant sufferers of Schizophrenia. Data generated were statistically analyzed using the SPSS version 11 of Fishers test (ANOVA). The significant finding among others shows that knowledge is most potent factor to determine attitude towards vagrant sufferers of schizophrenia. Conclusively, it was recommended that government legislate against mass media organizations negative depictions of sufferers of mental illness. Also, mass media organizations engage in compulsory informative, educative and enlightenment campaigns to positively change attitudes of people towards people living with schizophrenia.