Mental Health Stigma Associated Among Professionals of Primary Health Care

Abstract

This study seeks to analyze the association between stigma towards people with mental health problems among Primary Health Care professionals in relation to sociodemographic, contact, and participation variables in mental health actions. The sample was composed of 289 professionals from Rio Grande do Sul/Brazil. We used a sociodemographic questionnaire; Mental Health Knowledge Questionnaire (MAKS-BR); Attribution Questionnaire (AQ-26B); and Mental health items of the National Program for Access and Quality Improvement in Primary Care (PMAQ-AB). Less attribution of stigma is related to greater knowledge in mental health, having mental health training, and performing mental health activities. Among the variables that most influence the relationship between knowledge and the attribution of stigma are personal contact, training, and performing mental health actions. Results point to the importance of mental health practices in Primary Care and team training to reduce stigma.