KAP study on mental health and reproductive illness among college girls in Madurai, Tamil Nadu

Abstract

The period of adolescence and youth is a transition period between childhood and adulthood. This phase is vulnerable for several health issues ranging from reproductive, psychosocial and mental disorders. Among various disorders, mental disorders form a fulcrum which determines the quality of life and well-being during their adult life. Studies have proven that it is essential to create awareness among these adolescents and youth regarding early signs of mental illnesses. This study was conducted to compare the level of knowledge, attitude and practices related to mental health and illness among girls’ college and college with co-education system. This cross sectional study was carried out among one college with co-education where 149 girls participated and one girls’ college where 112 girls participated. A structured interview schedule was used to obtain information regarding knowledge, attitude and practices pertaining to mental illness. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Friends were the major source of information for the co-education students while internet formed the major source of information for the girls’ college students. Majority of the girls in girls’ college felt that mental illness is caused due to environmental problems (74.1%) while among co-education students, it was due to spirits (35.6%), (p<0.0001). While 31.5% of the girls of co-ed colleges felt that self harm was normal, only 18.7% among girls’ college felt that self harm was normal.: Our study indicates that students of girls’ college were better informed and aware of mental illness compared to the girls studying in co-education system. There is a need for target based awareness on mental health and also regarding approaches to abnormalities of the mental states for a healthier adulthood among girls.