Abstract:
Background: Throughout the world, particularly in low and middle income countries, a
significant number of children and adolescents suffer from mental health problem. To date
schools are used as mental health service facilities for school children and teachers as mental
health service providers. Therefore assessing teachers’ perception and attitude of child
mental health problems and school based mental health services helps to design appropriate
intervention aimed to promote the service in Ethiopia.
Objective: This study aimed to assess perceptions and attitude of primary school teachers
towards child mental health problem and school based mental health programs in Jimma
town, south west Ethiopia, 2013
Methods: Primary school based cross-sectional study design was implemented in Jimma town,
from 1-30 October 2013. Perceptions and attitude of teachers towards children mental health
problems and school mental health related information were assessed using a structured self
administered questionnaire. A total of 515, (282 males and 233 females) primary schools
teachers participated in the study. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Simple
descriptive analysis (mean, percentage, frequency and SD) were computed. Both binary
logistic regression analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis were used. Strength of
association of the variables was described using odds ratio and 95% confidence level.
Results: From 515 participants, only about 40% of teachers recognized the list of
psychopathology presented to them as child mental health problem while 54.4% of them
rated child mental health problem as severe one. Externalizing behaviors were perceived as
the most severe problems. Teaching experience and teaching in public schools were
significantly associated with severe type of child mental health problem perception.
Regarding school based child mental health programs, about 95% of teachers acknowledged
that the programs are important. But they reported limited programs available at their school.
Conclusion: Despite high problem severity ratings, teachers’ perception of the
psychopathology as child mental health problem was low. Similarly, majority of teachers
acknowledged the importance and the need of school based child mental health programs.
Thus, mental health awareness creation for teachers and establishing school mental health
service to intervene child mental health problem is crucial.
