Including culture in programs to reduce stigma toward people with mental disorders in low- and middle-income countries

Franco Mascayano, Josefina Toso-Salman, Yu Chak Sunny Ho, Saloni Dev, Thamara Tapia, Graham Thornicroft, Leopoldo J. Cabassa, Akwatu Khenti, Jaime Sapag, Sireesha J. Bobbili, Rubén Alvarado, Lawrence Hsin Yang, Ezra Susser

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Stigma is one of the main barriers for the full implementation of mental health services in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Recently, many initiatives to reduce stigma have been launched in these settings. Nevertheless, the extent to which these interventions are effective and culturally sensitive remains largely unknown. The present review addresses these two issues by conducting a comprehensive evaluation of interventions to reduce stigma toward mental illness that have been implemented in LMICs. We conducted a scoping review of scientific papers in the following databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, EBSCO, OVID, Embase, and SciELO. Keywords in English, Spanish, and Portuguese were included. Articles published from January 1990 to December 2017 were incorporated into this article. Overall, the studies were of low-to-medium methodological quality—most only included evaluations after intervention or short follow-up periods (1–3 months). The majority of programs focused on improving knowledge and attitudes through the education of healthcare professionals, community members, or consumers. Only 20% (5/25) of the interventions considered cultural values, meanings, and practices. This gap is discussed in the light of evidence from cultural studies conducted in both low and high income countries. Considering the methodological shortcomings and the absence of cultural adaptation, future efforts should consider better research designs, with longer follow-up periods, and more suitable strategies to incorporate relevant cultural features of each community.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)140-160
Number of pages21
Journaltranscultural psychiatry
Volume57
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2020

Keywords

  • interventions
  • low- and middle-income countries
  • mental illness
  • stigma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Including culture in programs to reduce stigma toward people with mental disorders in low- and middle-income countries'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this