SELF-RATED MENTAL HEALTH STATUS AMONG HOUSEHOLDS IN IBADAN REGION, NIGERIA

Abstract

Mental health problems are on the increase globally and the problem has become increasingly manifest in developing countries, such as, Nigeria, where the level of poverty has continued to rise with attendant social and economic consequences. However, there is apparent paucity of empirical works in the literature that tend to explain the mental health issue from a geographical perspective, in particular employing the self-rated technique. Mental health status of household heads were examined using the self-rated technique, in order to determine the explanatory factors for the perceived increase of mental distress and mental health, among vulnerable household heads’ who utilized health care services in Ibadan region. Human ecology of disease concept; a survey design was adopted and a multi-stage sampling technique were employed. Descriptive statistics, a self-rated mental health technique were employed. About 51% utilize health care services while 41% do not utilize any health care service. Mental health status was found to be significantly related to utilization of health care services at a significant level at P < 0.01; combined significance of means of water supply, type of toilet facility, perception of environmental quality and availability of social amenities and type of house alone (β =.158) at P < .05. Housing and environmental quality, public order and safety, poverty should be improved upon for a good mental health condition for the populace.