Academic Research Journal on Health Information Management

Vol. 7(3), pp. 70-79, August 2026

ISSN: 2734-2190

https://doi.org/10.14662/arjhim2026200

 

Full Length Research

 

 

Assessment of the perceived causes of mental disorder among people living with mental illness at community mental health centres, Ogun State, Nigeria

 

Taiwo Christianah, Omirin1, , Lucky E.U, Onofa2, Babatunde Kayode, Ayilegbe3, Sunday Mauton, Amosu4, Abayomi Oluseye, Olajide,5, Emmanuel Seun, Abayomi6 , Sunday Akingbola, Omokanye7, Muyiwa A., Amin 8,

 

1.Taiwo Christianah, Omirin (PhD), Director & HOD/Coordinator, School of Psychiatric Nursing, Federal Neuro-psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Nigeria. Email: taiwoomirin1@gmail.com 2. Chief Consultant Psychiatrist & WHO Global Mental Health Scholar, Federal Neuro-psychiatric Hospital, Aro. Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Email: onolucky@yahoo.com 3. *Corresponding Author, Babatunde Kayode, Ayilegbe (PhD), Director & HOD Health Information Management Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Email: babatundeayilegbek@yahoo.com 4. Chief Consultant Psychiatrist & Head of Clinical Service, Federal Neuro-psychiatric Hospital, Aro. Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Email: amosusunday1970@gmail.com 5. Consultant Psychiatrist Special Grade1, Federal Neuro-psychiatric Hospital, Aro. Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria Email: edijaloolumo@yahoo.com 6. Consultant Psychiatrist, Federal Neuro-psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Nigeria. Email: abayomi.emmanuel@neuroaro.gov.ng 7. Deputy Director & Head, School of Health Information Management, OAUTHC, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria Email: omokanyeakin@gmail.com 8.Senior Lecturer, Adeleke University, Department of Health Information Management, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria. Email: aminmuyiwa01@gmail.com  

*Corresponding author’s E-mail: babatundeayilegbek@yahoo.com  

Accepted 25 August 2026

Abstract

Abstract: Mental disorder is a broad term describing clinically significant disturbances in individual’s cognition, emotional regulation or behavior that are associated with distress, impaired functioning or increased risk of disability. Mental health research emphasizes that there is no single cause of mental illness, but multiple risk factors interact to increase an individual’s vulnerability to developing mental disorder. Therefore, this study investigated the perceived causes of mental disorder among people living with mental illness at mental health facilities in Ogun State, Nigeria. Methodology This study was carried out at Community Mental Health Centres at Ilaro, Ota, Ijebu-Ode and Abeokuta. The population of the study was 1173 mentally-ill patients. Instruments of data collection was a structured, adapted questionnaire and International Stigma of Mental Illness Scale. Primary data were utilized. The study sample size was 313 which was determined through Cochran’s formula. Female constituted majority 186(54.9%) of the respondents, while males represented 127(40.6%). Stratified random sampling and convenient sampling technique were utilized in selecting participants for the study. Three hundred and eighteen copies of questionnaire were distributed, and all were returned, making 100% return rate, but 5 were found unsuitable for use. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Service Solution (SPSS) version 25.0. Descriptive statistics such as frequency count, mean, standard deviations, and percentages was utilized for demographic data, while the hypothesis was analysed using inferential statistics such as Chi-Square. Statistical significance was considered at P-value ≤ 0.05 Results The result showed that majority 247(78.9%) of the respondents had high knowledge of mental illness. Causes of mental disorder included loss of job/loss of loved ones 294(93.9%), physical illness 291(92.8%), family/relationship problems 275(87.9%), stress 261(83.4%), abuse in childhood and genetics respectively 246(78.6%). Hypotheses suggested that there was significant relationship between duration of mental disorder and stigmatization Conclusion The study concluded that there were some perceived causes of mental disorder among people living with mental illness who were attending the four Community Mental Health Centres in Ogun State, Nigeria. It was recommended the government should subsidize the cost of treatment of mental illness, launch targeted campaigns to educate the public about mental health conditions, collaborate with media outlets to promote mental health care and form alliance with religious and traditional healers for complementary approach to mental health treatment in the country.

 

Keywords: Mental disorder, discrimination, patients, mental health centres, healthcare professionals.

Paper type: research