Mpunde

Researchers are studying mental illness stigma and attitudes toward mental health care in rural Uganda. They focus on key groups such as traditional healers, religious leaders, families of those with mental illness, and people with mental illness themselves. The study also examines how stigma varies by gender and specific mental health conditions. The goal is to adapt a previously successful theater intervention into a radio drama, the most popular media form in Uganda, to reduce stigma and improve health-seeking behaviors across the community. The intervention involves an hour-long radio drama adapted from a community-led theater performance. Participants will listen to this radio drama during three separate sessions. The study uses a cluster randomized control trial design to test the effectiveness of this radio drama compared to a control group. The trial includes qualitative assessments through focus groups and interviews to explore community reactions to the radio drama and factors influencing its acceptance. Participants will attend listening sessions and complete structured questionnaires before and after the intervention. Researchers will measure changes in mental illness stigma using the Broad Acceptance Scale and Personal Acceptance Scale at baseline and one month after the intervention. The study will also analyze stigma levels based on gender and mental health condition. Participation requires residing in the study village and providing written consent. The total duration of follow-up includes immediate and one-month post-intervention assessments.