"Thandi should feel embarrassed": describing the validity and reliability of a tool to measure depression-related stigma among patients with depressive symptoms in Malawi.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

There are no validated tools in Malawi to measure mental health stigma. Accordingly, this study evaluates the validity and reliability of a short quantitative instrument to measure depression-related stigma in patients exhibiting depressive symptoms in Malawi.

Methods

The SHARP study began depression screening in 10 NCD clinics across Malawi in April 2019; recruitment is ongoing. Eligible participants were 18-65 years, had a patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) score ≥ 5, and were new or current diabetes or hypertension patients. Participants completed a baseline questionnaire that measured depression-related stigma, depressive symptoms, and sociodemographic information. The stigma instrument included a vignette of a depressed woman named Thandi, and participants rat

SUBMITTER: Dussault JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9090948 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature