Table 5

Number and distribution of health workers by the degree to which they agree or disagree with statements regarding mentally sick persons

Strongly disagree

Disagree

Agree

Strongly agree

Undecided

TOTAL

Find it hard to talk to someone with mental health problems

9(8.1)

37(33.3)

49(44.1)

13(11.7)

3(2.7)

111(100.0)

Detention in a solitary place should be considered for people with mental illness

20(18.0)

26(23.4)

47(42.3)

7(6.3)

11(9.9)

111(100.0)

Mental patients should not be treated in the same health center with other people

5(4.5)

24(21.6)

44(39.6)

31(27.9)

7(6.3)

111(100.0)

Mentally sick persons are entitled to the same attention in the health center as general patients

19(17.1)

16(14.4)

30(27.0)

45(40.5)

1(0.0)

111(100.0)

Chainama is the only place for people with mental illness

16(14.4)

29(26.1)

35(31.5)

28(25.2)

3(2.7)

111(100.0)

Mwape et al. International Journal of Mental Health Systems 2010 4:21   doi:10.1186/1752-4458-4-21