Journal of Mental Health, Behavioral Sciences and Public Health
Aim and Scope The Journal of Mental Health, Behavioral Sciences and Public Health (JMH-BSPH) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary research that bridges clinical mental health, behavioral sciences, and population health. The journal provides a platform for high-quality scholarship that explores the biological, psychological, social, and structural determinants of mental health and well-being across diverse settings. JMH-BSPH publishes original research, systematic reviews, intervention studies, implementation research, and policy analyses in areas including psychiatry, psychology, substance use, community mental health, health behavior, prevention science, digital mental health, and mental health systems strengthening. The journal particularly welcomes studies that integrate clinical practice with public health approaches to improve mental health outcomes at individual and population levels. By promoting rigorous, evidence-informed research, the journal aims to support innovation, inform policy, and strengthen mental health services globally, with special relevance to low- and middle-income settings. The Journal publishes work in the following; Alcohol and mental health Anorexia nervosa Anxiety Armed forces and mental health Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Autism and mental health Bipolar disorder Black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) communities Body image Bulimia nervosa Children and young people Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) Crisis care Debt and mental health Dementia Depression Diet and mental health Drugs and mental health Eating disorders Friendship and mental health Gambling and mental health Hearing voices Housing and mental health Human rights and mental health Kindness Loneliness Long-term physical conditions and mental health Medication for mental health problems Men and mental health Menopause Mental capacity Mental health in later life Mindfulness Nature and mental health Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) Online mental health support Panic attacks Parenting and mental health Peer support Personality disorders Pets and mental health Physical activity and mental health Physical health and mental health Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Postnatal depression Prevention and mental health Psychosis Recovery Schizophrenia Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Self-harm Self-management of mental ill-health Sleep and mental health Smoking and mental health Stigma and discrimination Stress Suicidal thoughts Talking about mental health Talking therapies Talking to your GP about your mental health Trauma Welfare and mental health Women and mental health Work-life balance
Psychobiological factors and mental illnesses among youths in Mityana General Hospital, Mityana district. A cross-sectional study.
Background: Mental health represents a critical public health challenge, with the majority of lifetime psychiatric disorders emerging during the early stages of development. This study aimed to determine the biological and psychological factors contributing to the occurrence of mental illness among the youth attending Mityana General Hospital in Mityana District. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed, with a quantitative approach for data collection. Forty (40) patients were sampled conveniently. Data was collected using questionnaires, and analyzed quantitatively using Microsoft excel that helped to generate figures and tables. Results: The study involved more, 57.5% females than 42.5% males (42.5%). The majority (23) 57.5% being between 22 and 26 years, followed by (9) 22.5% between 17-21 years, (6) 15% around 27 years and above, and a few (2) 5% were in 12-16 years. The most (26) 65% were single, (9) 22.5% were married, (4)10% were divorced, and (1)2.5% were widowed. Biological factors like genetics (30) 75%, chronic physical illness (25) 62.5%, and drug abuse (28) 70%. Psychological factors like stress (22) 55%, racial discrimination (30) 75%, early motherhood/marriage (27) 67.5%, sexual violence (32) 80%, major losses and death of a beloved one (36) 90% as the main factors contributing to the occurrence of mental illness. Conclusion: Genetics, chronic physical illness, drug abuse, social stigma, culture, poor parenting style, stress, racial discrimination, early motherhood and marriage, sexual violence, and major losses were the main causes of mental illness among the youth. Recommendation: There should be a comprehensive review of mental health in all communities of Uganda in order to address the burden. Health promotion, which is a holistic approach to community health care through strategies and actions directed at strengthening the skills of individuals, changing social, environmental, and economic conditions.
Copyright (c) 2026 Journal of Mental Health, Behavioral Sciences and Public Health
INDIVIDUAL FACTORS AFFECTING PERSONAL COPING STRATEGIES ON STRESS MANAGEMENT AMONG NURSES IN LUWERO HOSPITAL LUWERO DISTRICT. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.
Background Stress is a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation that prompts a person to address challenges and threats in his or her life. The aim of the study is to Individual factors affecting personal coping strategies for stress management among nurses in the Luwero Hospital Luwero district. Methodology A cross-sectional design approach that utilized a quantitative collection method. The study targeted 35 nurses working at Luwero Hospital, a sample of 32 respondents was needed for the study to be a success. Results 24(75%) of the respondents were females 8(25%) were males 32(100.0%) had never heard of coping strategies used in stress management. 17(53.1%) got information from internet, 10(31.2%) from worker mates, 4(12.5%) from counselors, and only 1(3.2%) got the information from television. indicate that 29(91%) of the respondents accepted that high levels of stress can lead to diseases whereas 3(9%) of the respondents said no. 25(86.2%) of the respondents said stress causes hypertension, 2(6.9%) said that it caused either anxiety or depression. 1(53.1%) of the respondents said that they provide nursing care equally to all patients, 10(31.3%) said they would respect patient’s decisions and 5(15.6%) said they would value patients. This is because the nurses knew justice as a professional ethic and used 30(94%) of the respondents had ever experienced and reconciled from stress while 2(6%) never experienced and reconciled from stress. 17(53.1%) of the respondents said they visited their counselor, 10(31.3%) said they prayed and 5(15.6%) said they used drugs and alcohol. Conclusion The majority of the nurses at Luwero Hospital had sufficient knowledge about stress but lacked stress-coping measures. Recommendation The government should recruit more mental health professionals to help staff and patients in dealing with stress management.
Patient-related factors associated with workplace stress among health workers at Mityana hospital, Mityana District. A cross-sectional study.
Background: Workplace stress among health workers remains a significant global challenge affecting service delivery and staff wellbeing. This study assesses the Patients-related factors associated with workplace stress among health workers at Mityana Hospital, Mityana District. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design using quantitative methods was employed at Mityana Hospital. A total of 36 health workers were selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire over six days. Analysis was done manually and presented using tables and figures. Results: The majority resided in urban areas (83%), while 17% were from rural areas. Regarding marital status, 61% were single, 22% married, and 17% divorced. Patient-related factors revealed that 61% of health workers reported exposure to abusive patients. Additionally, 53% indicated that patients rarely kept appointments, 22% always kept appointments, and 25% never kept appointments. Furthermore, 67% of respondents reported that patients had poor attitudes towards health workers. These conditions were commonly associated with increased workplace stress among staff. Conclusion: Patient-related factors significantly contribute to workplace stress among health workers at Mityana Hospital, particularly abusive patients, poor attitudes, and irregular appointment adherence. Recommendation: Strengthen patient education on respectful interactions, improve appointment systems, and enhance staff support mechanisms to reduce stress among health workers.
Factors contributing to increased use of tobacco among the youth aged 15-35 years, in Katwe village, Kampala district. A cross-sectional study.
Background: Tobacco use remains a major global public health concern, especially among young people. This study assessed factors contributing to increased tobacco use among youth aged 15–35 years in Katwe village, Kampala District. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. The study was conducted among youth aged 15–35 years residing in Katwe village, Kampala District. A sample size of 50 respondents was selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed manually using tally sheets and later entered into Microsoft Excel for presentation in tables, charts, frequencies, and percentages. Results: The findings showed that 80% of respondents smoked tobacco, while 20% did not. Smokeless tobacco was the most commonly used type (62%). Friends were the major source of information about tobacco use (54%). Community factors revealed that 60% of respondents had parents who smoked tobacco, and 60% reported parental influence on smoking behavior. In addition, 68% said their friends smoked tobacco, while 76% reported peer influence as a reason for smoking. Economic factors indicated that 82% of respondents were salary earners, and 76% stated that income influenced their tobacco use. Conclusion: Tobacco use among youth in Katwe village is high and is strongly influenced by peer pressure, parental smoking behavior, and economic income. Social environments and access to disposable income significantly contribute to tobacco consumption among young people. Recommendations: The Ministry of Health should increase taxes on tobacco products to reduce accessibility. Schools, communities, and stakeholders should strengthen youth-centered tobacco prevention programs.
Social factors contributing to the occurrence of mental illness among the youth in Mityana General Hospital, Mityana district. A cross-sectional study.
Background: Mental health is recognized as a serious public health problem. Empirical evidence suggests that a substantial proportion of all lifetime cases of mental disorders begin to occur early in life. These age groups constitute an estimated 80% of the Ugandan population. This study aimed to determine the social factors contributing to the occurrence of mental illnesses among the youth attending Mityana General Hospital in Mityana District. Methodology: The study employed a cross-sectional descriptive design with a quantitative approach for data collection. Forty (40) patients were sampled conveniently during data collection with questionnaires. Data was analyzed quantitatively using Microsoft excel that helped to generate figures and tables. Results: Overall, the majority of respondents (23) 57.5% were female, while (17) 42.5% were male. 65% were single, (9) 22.5% were married, (4)10% were divorced, and (1)2.5% were widowed. In addition, (23) 57.5% had reached secondary, followed by primary (8) 20%, then tertiary (7) 17.5%, and lastly (2) 5% had not attended any school. Social factors, which included poverty (24) 60%, social stigma (27) 67.5%, and poor parenting style (22) 55%. Further, culture, as manifested by most of the respondents, 65% was strongly associated with the occurrence and development of mental illness. Conclusion: Social stigma, culture, poor parenting style, stress, racial discrimination, early motherhood marriage, sexual violence, and major losses were the main causes of mental illness among the youth. Recommendation: There should be a comprehensive review of mental health, an increase in the budget on mental health; reduce the paucity of mental health care providers, and a referral system that includes traditional and spiritual healers for early identification.
KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PERCEPTIONS TOWARDS VOLUNTARY HIV/AIDS TESTING AND COUNSELING AMONG COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF KASOZI VILLAGE, WAKISO DISTRICT. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.
Background Sub-Saharan African countries suggest that knowledge of HIV/AIDS status after testing empowers patients to make decisions to use medicine, particularly among individuals who might have contracted the disease unknowingly. The study aims to assess the Knowledge, attitude, and perceptions towards voluntary HIV/AIDS testing and counseling among community members of Kasozi village, Wakiso district. Methodology This study adopted a cross-sectional study design using a quantitative research approach. A random sampling technique was used to select participants 30-50 respondents. The study included both males and females willing to participate, mentally and physically capable. Results Majority 28(93.3%) had information about sex education while 2(6.7%) were lacking. 27 (90.0%) knew the importance of testing for HIV while the minority 3(10.0%) didn't know. The majority 28(93.3%) supported that discrimination against HIV-positive youth could cause dropping out of school for the victim while 2(6.7%) didn't support it. 27(90.0%) agreed that their culture/and religion supported them to go for voluntary HIV/AIDs testing and counseling 3 (10.0%) disagreed. 17(56.7%) felt powerless to negotiate safer sex with their partners while the minority 13(43.3%) did not. The majority 10 (58.8%) did HIV AIDs testing and counseling for a period above three months while the minority 2(6.7%) did it every month. 27(90%) of the women didn’t ask their husbands to use condoms whereas a minority 3(10%) of them asked their husbands to use condoms. 15(50.0%) were single while minority 4(13.3%) were divorced. Conclusion Respondents had good knowledge, negative attitudes, and poor perceptions towards HIV/AIDs voluntary testing and counseling. This makes the fight against HIV difficult since Knowledge, attitude influence the practice and lifestyle of communities. Recommendation The government through the Ministry of Health should construct and extend reproductive health services not only to the institutions but also to different areas of the country.
Copyright (c) 2024 SJ Mental Health Africa
KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF HEALTH WORKERS TOWARDS MANAGEMENT OF DEPRESSION AMONG HIV-POSITIVE PREGNANT MOTHERS AT RAPHA HEALTH CENTRE III. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.
Background The purpose of the study was to identify the knowledge, attitude, and practice of health workers towards the management of depression among HIV-positive pregnant mothers at Rapha Health Center III, Gomba district. Methodology The study adopted a cross-sectional study design with quantitative data collection methods. A purposive sampling method was used to select 30 study participants. A questionnaire was used to obtain data which were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2016 in the form of tables and figures. Results The study revealed that (40%) of participants were below 30 years of age, 63%) respondents were single, (57%) of participants had attained a diploma level of education. 50% of the respondents had a working experience of 4-6 years. (87%) of the respondents agreed that perinatal depression needs a medical intervention (60%) of respondents had heard about screening questionnaires. The majority 20(67%) of the participants agreed that perceived and experienced stigma can cause patients to be less likely to pursue treatment. (80%) of the respondents agreed that recognizing and managing depression is often an important part of managing other health problems during the perinatal period. 70%) of the respondents did not routinely screen their patients for perinatal depression with a screening questionnaire (73%) of the respondents reported that their health facility did not carry out regular training about depression in pregnant mother Conclusion The study concluded that most of the health workers were knowledgeable about the management of depression with negative attitudes towards its management and poor practice hence health educating mothers regarding the prevention of depression is recommendable. Recommendation Health workers should be curious to acquire more knowledge, change their attitude, and practice regularly on how to assess for depression and the proper management protocol.
CHALLENGES FACED BY NURSES IN THE PROVISION OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN MASAKA REGIONAL REFERRAL HOSPITAL, MASAKA CITY- A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.
Background Globally, mental illness affects over 970 people, with 1 in every 8 people, and is among the leading causes of the global burden of disease. The purpose of the study was to assess the challenges faced by nurses in the provision of mental health in Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, Masaka City. Methodology A descriptive cross-sectional study design that utilized quantitative methods of data collection was conducted at Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, in 3 days, 30 nurses were selected using the purposive sampling method. Results The majority 16(53%) of the respondents agreed that it is hard to develop a health worker-patient relationship with mentally ill patients due to the aggressive behavior of patients, 22(73%) of the respondents said that patient’s economic status affected their services, 16(53%) of the respondents said that drug stock outs affected the wellness pattern of mentally ill patients, 17(57%) said they were affected psychologically while taking care of mentally ill patients since other people would say that they were behaving like mentally ill patients, 23(77%) mentioned that they had ever been aggressively harassed by mentally ill patients, and 18(60%) said that the facility administration rarely held training for the management of mental illnesses. Conclusion Challenges faced by nurses in the provision of mental health services included; difficulty in developing a nurse-patient relationship due to aggressive behavior, drug stock-outs which affected the wellness pattern of patients, and lack of training on management of mental illnesses. Recommendation The Ministry of Health and the Management of Masaka Regional Referral Hospital should encourage nurses to practice self-care and prioritize their well-being, resources and workshops on stress management techniques, and provide enough drugs to use during the provision of mental health services.
KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES TOWARDS PREVENTING DEPRESSION AMONG STUDENTS AT KAMPALA SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES, WAKISO DISTRICT. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.
Background Depression is an illness that involves the body, mind, and thoughts that affect the way one eats, sleeps, feels about him or herself, and thinks about things. The study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices towards preventing depression among students at Kampala School of Health Sciences, Wakiso district. Methodology A cross-sectional study using quantitative data collection methods. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 50 respondents. The study included students aged 18-32 years. Results The majority of the respondents (92%) had never heard of depression before, and the other (8%) had never heard of depression. The majority (60%) heard of depression at school, and the least (4%) heard of it from religious gatherings. The majority (39%) knew suicidal ideation as a symptom of depression while the least (9%) knew lack of sleep as a symptom. The majority (64%) ticked Yes that they would disclose if they were depressed, and the least (36%) ticked No that they would not disclose. The majority (40%) ticked that talk to a close friend to prevent depression after an undesirable incident and the least (24%) talked to their parents to prevent depression after an undesirable incident, the majority (36%) ticked talking to a school counselor as the most helpful practice of prevention of depression among students and the least (12%) ticked keeping problem to self as the most helpful practice of prevention of depression. Conclusion The knowledge of depression among students was generally good. The overall altitude was poor as most of the respondents believed that depressed people were dangerous. Recommendation The administration of Kampala School of Health Sciences should introduce an Adolescent Depression Awareness Program in its school curriculum for all students despite the course being pursued.
PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS AND MEASURES TO PUT IN TO PREVENT EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE AMONG STUDENTS OF PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL IN EMBAKASI CONSTITUENCY IN KENYA. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.
Background In the African continent, it was said that 61% of people who got treated for drug abuse often displayed serious psychological disorders and mostly were cannabis users and 2/3 of them were youth. Methodology A cross-sectional study utilizing quantitative data was conducted. A simple random technique was used to select 60 respondents. Findings were displayed in table form tables in percentage form. Results 15(25%) of the respondents agreed that poor educational attainment is a symbol of the psychological effects of drug abuse on students, those who decrease their ability to concentrate 5 (8%) Emotional mental illnesses 10 (16%), Indiscipline of in school environment 12 (20` %) and lastly Students performance. Mostly identified effects were, sexual abuse, drug addiction, alcoholism, financial problems at home, and incurable diseases, this is especially true when the student is in a terminal phase—the psychological Effect of drug abuse on students results in poor educational attainment. Respondents had attained a certificate of education with a percentage of 10(16%), followed by a diploma of 30 (50%), and the majority of the respondents with a bachelor’s degree with a percentage of 15(25%), Masters with 5(8%). Conclusion Drug use may serve as a maturational ‘snare’ that keeps some students engaged in deviant peer groups as others move on to more normative groups, thus having a long-term direct effect on educational attainment. Recommendation Schools should enforce strict rules on alcohol and drug abuse by requiring all social events during orientation of first years to be alcohol-free, disseminating responsible host guidelines for both on- and off-campus parties, install a responsible beverage service program, eliminate residence hall delivery of alcohol purchases, advertise food and activities, such as dancing or sports, rather than drinking as the focus of the event.