A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE OF NURSING STUDENTS IN EDO STATE TOWARDS NURSINGS CLIENTS WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS.

Abstract

Mental health disorders represent a significant global health concern, affecting individuals across all age groups, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Despite the increasing burden of mental illness, misconceptions and negative attitudes toward individuals with mental health conditions persist within communities and even among healthcare professionals. Several studies have indicated that nursing students often lack adequate knowledge about mental illnesses and may hold stigmatizing views, which can compromise the effectiveness of care and contribute to the marginalization of patients. This study compared the knowledge and attitude of nursing students in Benson Idahosa University and College of Nursing UBTH towards nursing clients with mental health disorders. A comparative cross-sectional study design was adopted, and a startifieid sampling technique was used to select 300 participants. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29.0, with results presented in frequencies, percentages, and means. Findings revealed that most respondents (81.1%) were female, and the majority (42.6%) were aged 21–25 years. The overall knowledge level was satisfactory, with 68.4% demonstrating good understanding of mental health disorders. Regarding attitudes, 62.4% of participants showed a positive disposition toward caring for individuals with mental illness, though some misconceptions persisted. Key factors influencing knowledge and attitudes included adequate curriculum content, exposure to psychiatric settings, and previous contact with individuals living with mental illness. In contrast, cultural beliefs and stigma had minimal influence. Furthermore, 84.7% strongly agreed that integrating more mental health courses, workshops, and clinical rotations could enhance knowledge and improve attitudes. The study’s null hypothesis, which stated that there is no significant relationship between students’ knowledge and attitude toward mental health care, was rejected, indicating a significant positive relationship between both variables (p < 0.05). The study concludes that nursing students in Edo State possess moderate knowledge and positive attitudes toward mental health nursing, which can be strengthened through improved training and clinical exposure. It is recommended that mental health content be expanded in the nursing curriculum, regular workshops and clinical postings be instituted, interprofessional learning be promoted, and stigma reduction campaigns be integrated into nursing education to improve competence and empathy in mental health care delivery. Keywords: Mental health nursing, Nursing students, Knowledge, Attitude, Curriculum, Edo State