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ISSN: 2230-9926

International Journal of Development Research

Vol. 07, Issue, 06, pp.13367-13375, June, 2017

ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access

A STUDY TO ASSESS THE KNOWLEDGE REGARDING MENTAL

HEALTH ACT AMONG STAFF NURSES AT SELECTED PSYCHIATRIC
HOSPITALS IN BANGALORE WITH A VIEW TO DEVELOP AN
INFORMATION GUIDE SHEET
1,*Mr. Rajratan and 2Lakshmi R.
1Dissertation Submitted to Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences,
Bangalore, Karnataka, India
2Dept. of Psychiatric Nursing, Varalakshmi College of Nursing, Bangalore,
India

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT

Article History:
Received 24th March, 2017 Received in revised form 19th April, 2017
Accepted 15th May, 2017 Published online 30th June, 2017

Key Words:
Knowledge, Mental Health Act, Psychiatry Nurses, Staff Nurses,
Psychiatric Hospitals, Information Booklet.

Corresponding author: Mr. Rajratan, Dissertation Submitted to Rajiv

Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
Background: Mental health legislation is essential for complementing and
reinforcing mental health policy and providing a legal framework for
meeting its goals. Such legislation can protect human rights, enhance the
quality of mental health services and promote the integration of persons
with mental disorders into communities. Nurses play an important role in
caring the mentally ill clients and thus study of the knowledge of staff
nurses regarding the mental health act may provide some insight into the
present day situation prevailing in our community and thus required
interventions can be planned.
Objectives of the study were
 To assess the knowledge regarding Mental Health Act among Staff
Nurses at selected psychiatric hospitals.
 To find out an association between the levels of knowledge on mental
health act among Staff Nurses at selected psychiatric hospitals with
selected demographic variables.
 To develop and provide information guide sheet regarding mental health act.
Methods
Descriptive exploratory survey design was used for the study. The study
was conducted at Spandana hospital private limited, Bangalore. Fifty staff
nurses through purposive sampling technique who met the inclusion criteria
were included in the study. The tool used was a knowledge questionnaire.
Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics.
Results
Ninety two percent of the staff nurses were in the age group of 20-30 years
whereas 8% of the staff nurses were in the age group of 31-40 years. Sixty
four percent of the staff nurses had done their training in general nursing
whereas 36% of the staff nurses had done B.Sc nursing. Knowledge scores
of respondents range between 9 and 32; mean is 21.06; standard deviation
is 4.49; median is 21 and mean percentage is 52.65. Majority of the
samples (52%) have good knowledge and 42% of the samples have
satisfactory knowledge on mental health act. 2% and 4% of the samples
have excellent and poor knowledge on mental health act respectively.
There was no association between the knowledge score and selected
demographic variables such as Age, Professional qualification, Years of
experience, Income, Marital status, Gender, Source of information at 0.05
level.
Interpretation
The result shows that majority of the samples had good knowledge and very
few of the samples had excellent knowledge on mental health act.
Conclusion
The study showed that very few samples have excellent knowledge on
mental health act and hence enhancement of knowledge in the area of
mental health legislation can have a positive impact on the care rendered
by the nurses.
Copyright ©2017, Mr. Rajratan and Lakshmi. This is an open access
article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which
permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is properly cited.

Citation: Mr. Rajratan and Lakshmi R. 2017. “A study to assess the knowledge regarding mental health act among staff nurses at selected psychiatric
hospitals in bangalore with a view to develop an information guide sheet”, International Journal of Development Research, 7, (06), 13367-13375.
 INTRODUCTION

“You must be the change you want to see in

the world.” –Mahatma Gandhi

Mental, physical and social health is vital strands of life that are closely
interwoven and deeply interdependent.
As understanding of this relationship grows, it becomes even more apparent
that mental health is crucial to the overall wellbeing of individuals, societies
and countries. Perhaps, mental health is failed to get enough attention in
health sector rather than physical illness in last few years (Trivedi, 2009). The
persons with mental illness are highly stigmatized and discriminated in society
in all sphere of their life.
According to the World Health Report “some 450 million people suffer from
mental or behavioural disorder, yet only small minorities of them receive even
the most basic treatment (Trivedi, 2009)”. In WHO health report (2001) it was
reported that 67% of countries in South-Asia have mental health legislation
and rest of the 33% have no such law. Mental health care in India over the last
25 years has been an intense period of growth and innovation. India enters the
new millennium with many changes in the social, political, and economic fields
with an urgent need for reorganization of policies and programmes. The mental
health scene in India, in recent times, reflects the complexity of developing
mental health policy in a developing country (Trivedi, 2009). The basic function
of any law is to frame rules and regulations which are least restricting and will
enable the weak to enjoy all their civil rights without any hindrances. A more
penal and less therapeutic service would only increase the isolation of
psychiatry from other clinical specialities (Trivedi, 2009).
The National Health Policy, 2002 clearly spells out the place of mental health
in the overall planning of health care. These developments have occurred
against the over 25 years of efforts to integrate mental health care with primary
health care (from 1975), replacement of the Indian Lunacy Act 1912 by the
Mental Health Act 1987, and the enactment of The Persons with Disabilities
Act 1995 focusing on the equal opportunities, protection of rights and full
participation of disabled persons. The growth of voluntary action for mental
health care in the areas of suicide prevention, disaster mental health care,
setting up of community mental health care facilities, movement of family
members (care givers) of mentally ill individuals, drug dependence, public
interest litigation to address the human rights of the mentally ill; research in
depression, schizophrenia and child psychiatric problems are other major
developments (Trivedi, 2009). The rapid growth of private psychiatry with
associated spread of services to peripheral cities and small towns and
challenges of regulation is another significant development of the last 10 years.
Against the above positive developments, the main challenges are the
extremely limited number of mental health professionals and the very limited
mental health service infrastructure; limited investment in health by the
government (estimated public sector expenditure on health is only 17 % of total
health expenditure) and problems of poverty (about 30% of population live
below poverty line) and low literacy with associated stigma and discrimination
for persons with mental disorders (Trivedi, 2009). Mental health legislation
should be viewed as a process rather than as an event that occurs just once in
many decades. This allows it to be amended in response to advances in the
treatment of mental disorders and to developments in service delivery
systems. Mental health legislation is essential for complementing and
reinforcing mental health policy and providing a legal framework for meeting its
 goals. Such legislation can protect human rights, enhance the quality of mental
health services and promote the integration of persons with mental disorders
into communities (Trivedi, 2009).

The dignity of persons with mental illness is not respected in many mental
health institutions. The well known incident of Erwadi, where 27 mentally ill
people died in fire accident in 2001 has opened up the eyes of Government
and civil society. Government took lots of affirmative actions to improve mental
health sector in country. Nurses play an important role in caring the mentally ill
clients and thus study of the knowledge of staff nurses regarding the mental
health act may provide some insight into the present day situation prevailing in
our community and thus required interventions can be planned. Mental health
legislation plays an important role in implementing effective mental health
services, particularly by utilizing political and popular will to reinforce national
mental health policies. Enactment of mental health legislation can improve
funding of mental health services, create accountability for those responsible
for providing mental health services and overcome bureaucratic gridlock to
ensure compliance with mental health policies and directives.1

Need for the study

“The test of any civilization is the measure of consideration and care
which

it gives to its weaker members”

Health is a state of complete physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being
and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Mental health is a state
of balance between the individual and the surrounding world, a state of
harmony between oneself and others (Sreevani, 2007).Mental disorders are
common, affecting more than 25% of all people at some time during their
lives. It is also universal, affecting people in all countries and societies,
individuals of all ages, woman and men, the rich and the poor from urban
and rural environments (Sreevani, 2007). International alliance of specialists
in mental health is launching a campaign today to shift the focus of the
world’s attention from disorders of the body to disorders of the mind. Some
30 per cent of the world’s population suffers some form of mental disorder
each year, yet at least two-thirds receive inadequate or no treatment, even in
countries with the best resources, such as the United Kingdom (World
Health Organisation, 2008). Mental illness outranks cancer and heart
disease as a cause of chronic ill health – mainly due to the disabling nature
of depression and alcohol or drug problems, today it attracts a fraction of the
resources of these more fashionable conditions (World Health Organisation,
2008).
The majority of the classical Indian Psychiatric epidemiology studies in the
last four decades have been population based. There is wide variation in
prevalence rates ranging from 10 to 370 / 1000 population in different part of
the country (Lalitha, 2007). A more recent Meta – analysis of 13
epidemiological studies in India, comprising 33,572 individuals, concluded
that the prevalence estimate is 58.2 per 1000 population. Among the various
problems, organic psychosis 0.4/1000; schizophrenia 2.7/1000; affective
disorders 6.9/1000 are major problems encountered in the community
(Lalitha, 2007). A Nurse acting with professional standards while practicing,
many of these risks and dangers can be averted. He/she must know the law
that governs her/his profession to avoid law suit against her. Knowledge of
legal responsibilities is integral with the expanding clinical role, and a logical
application of the planned, systematic and focused care, which should be
the goal of modern nursing (Barnabas, 2008). A Psychiatric Nurse is in the
ward 24 hours of the day and the final responsibility of the ward
management is on the nurse and the nurse should be well-versed in legal
aspects of care and treatment of the mentally ill (Lalitha, 2007). In an
increasing number of societies, health is no longer accepted as a charity or
the privilege of the few, but demanded as a right for all. However when
resources are limited, the Governments cannot provide all the needed
health services under these circumstances the aspirations of the people
should be satisfied by giving them equal right to available health care
services (Park, 2007). A study on knowledge about the Scottish mental
health act in general hospital setting was conducted. A questionnaire about
emergency detention legislation was circulated to non- psychiatric medical
staff to test their knowledge of the provisions relevant to the general hospital.
Two hundred and seventy four medical staff replied. Results showed that all
understanding of detention procedure and applicability were marked by
deficient irrespective of grade speciality or experience (Baig et al., 2008). A
Case Study on the District Mental Health Programme in India was conducted
to review the development of mental health services in India and to analyse
the implementation of the DMHP under the NMHP in Delhi. Initially,
information was gathered through the ministry about the programme and its
objective. Further information was collected from different studies and
research papers from various sources. Information was collected from the
field by administering case studies on selected nine patients and informal
interviews with local people, patients and their family members, and service
providers (the doctor and social worker). For the in-depth qualitative insights,
the study was undertaken using observation technique [at the Psychiatric
OPD at Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital] and in-depth case studies
were conducted with nine patients visiting the DMHP clinic at Jahangirpuri in
Delhi during September-December 2000. Structured and unstructured
interview schedule and observation technique were mainly used to collect
information for the study. This technique was followed throughout the study
from the services point of view to see the services rendered by the OPD.
The study Concluded that the development of mental health programmes in
India is still at an embryonic stage. A lag has been noticed in the
implementation of the Mental Health Act, which in spite of having been
accepted by the parliament in 1987 become operational only in April 1993. It
is necessary on the part of public health personnel to conduct research in
bringing out the epidemiological basis of such programmes (Baig et al.,
2008).

The Human Rights Act is sometimes misunderstood as being an obstruction to

the provision of safe and effective mental health care, allowing patients to cry
‘human right abuse’ too easily. For nurses, of how human rights are currently
understood to be protected in mental health care and steps that could improve
the protection of Rights. The investigator himself has found mentally ill patients
in a poor condition and the health professionals ignored the rights of the
mentally ill. In order to achieve all the above goals and to help nurses in
improving, adapting and applying their knowledge in the area of Mental Health,
the investigator has taken the study.

Statement of the Problem

“A Study To Assess The Knowledge Regarding Mental Health Act Among Staff
Nurses At Selected Psychiatric Hospitals, Bangalore With A View To Develop
An Information Guide Sheet”

Objectives of the Study

 To assess the knowledge regarding Mental Health Act among Staff
Nurses at selected psychiatric hospitals.
 To find out an association between the levels of knowledge on mental
health act among Staff Nurses at selected psychiatric hospitals with
selected demographic variables.
 To develop and provide information guide sheet regarding mental health
act.

Operational Definitions Knowledge

In this study it refers to the correct response of Staff Nurses regarding mental
health act as per structured questionnaire.

Staff Nurse
In this study it refers to the person who is registered in the state nursing
council and working in the selected psychiatric hospitals.

Mental Health Act

In this study it refers to the act which is amended for protection of rights,
treatment and care of mentally ill person

Psychiatric Hospital
In this study it refers to the health care setting which provides Mental Health
Service to the public.

Information Guide Sheet

In this study it refers to the concise and comprehensive information material
regarding mental health act.

Assumptions
 Staff Nurses may have some knowledge regarding mental health act.
 There may be significant association between knowledge regarding
mental health act among staff nurses with selected demographic
variables

Hypothesis
H1: There will be a significant relationship between knowledge regarding
mental health act and selected demographic variables among Staff Nurses

Scope of the study

 The result of this study can have great implications in nursing education
which can guide nurses in providing teaching to nursing students which
can aid in providing care within their legal boundaries.
 It can place emphasis on mental illness to gain attention in the health
sector.
 This can provide significant contribution to protection of the clients’ rights
and thus improve their outcome.
 This can stimulate further research in the field.
Summary
This chapter dealt with the statement of the problem, objectives, operational
definitions, assumptions, hypothesis, conceptual framework, and scope of
the study. The following chapter deals with the review of related
literatureMETHODOLOGY
“Our attitude toward life determines life’s attitude towards us.”
–John N. Mitchell
This chapter deals with the methodology of the present study, which includes
research approach, research design, variables under study, setting of the
study, population and sample, sampling technique, criteria for sample
selection, description of the tool, pilot study, data collection process and plan
for data analysis. Research methodology deals with decisions about the
methods to be used to address the research questions and careful planning for
the actual collection and analysis of data. Thus, research methodology is the
systematic way of doing a research to solve a problem.

Research Approach
In view of the nature of the problem and the study to accomplish the objectives
of the study, descriptive survey approach was considered as appropriate.
Descriptive research studies are designed to obtain pertinent and precise
information concerning the current status of the phenomena and whenever
possible, to draw valid general conclusions from the facts observed. The
research approach used for the study is depicted in the figure in the following
page:

Figure 2. Schematic Representation of the Research Design

Research Design
 The research design is the plan, structure and strategy of investigation, of
answering the research question, is the overall plan or blueprint the researcher
selects to carry out their study (Polit, 1999). Descriptive exploratory design is a
non experimental sample survey method which collects data from the natural
setting directly from the respondents by some systematic technique to explore
the existence of known phenomena and to describe it (Polit, 1999). The
research design selected for this study is descriptive exploratory survey
design. It is carried out for providing accurate outcome knowledge of staff
nurses regarding mental health act.
Setting
The study will be conducted at Spandana hospital private limited, Bangalore.
Population
Population is the total number of people who meet the criteria that the
researcher has established for the study, from whom subjects will be selected
and to whom the findings will be generalised (Polit, 1999). The population in
this study included registered nurses appointed in Spandana hospital private
limited, Bangalore and who were available at the time of data collection.

Sample and Sampling Technique

Sample is the subset of the units that comprise the population (Polit, 1999).
Sampling is a process of selecting a subset of the population to obtain data
regarding a problem (Polit, 1999).
Purposive sampling technique was used because of the limited availability of
time and subjects. It is based on knowledge and expertise of the subjects
that the investigator selects or handpicks the elements of the study. The
elements chosen are thought to best represent the phenomenon or topic
being studied. The sample in the study consisted of fifty registered nurses
who met the inclusion criteria.
Inclusion Criteria
 Staff nurses who are working at selected psychiatric hospitals,
Bangalore.
 Staff nurses who are willing to participate in the study.
 Staff nurses who are available at the time of data collection.
 Staff Nurses who can understand and speak English.
Exclusion Criteria
 Staff nurses who are sick or ill.
Data collection instruments
Tools are the procedures or instruments used by the researcher to collect
the data. The tool used to collect the data consisted of:
 Tool I: Demographic variables
 Tool II: Knowledge questionnaire to assess the staff nurses’ knowledge
on mental health act

Development of the tool

The following steps were adopted in the development of the tool:

 Review of literature.
 Discussion with experts.
 Development of blueprint.
 Construction of tool.
 Content validity.
 Reliability.

Preparation of blueprint: A blueprint was developed prior to the

construction of the knowledge questionnaire which depicted the distribution
of items into four main content areas: Historical perspective (15); definitions
of the act (10); Conditions of the act (65) and Objectives of the act (10).

Construction of tool: The tool was developed based on the review of

literature and discussion with experts. It comprised of two parts –
Demographic variables with 9 items and knowledge questionnaire with 40
questions.
Content validity: Content validity refers to the extent to which an instrument
measures what it is supposed to measure (Polit, 1999). The tool along with the
blueprint and criteria checklists and information guide sheet (Annexure 6, 7, 8,
9 and 10) was submitted to 8 experts (Annexure 12) to establish the content
validity. The experts were seven mental health nursing experts and one expert
was a specialist in child health nursing and diploma in psychiatric nursing.
They were requested to verify the items for their relevance, accuracy, and
appropriateness. There was 100% agreement on almost all items, but
suggestions were given to modify a few items. The modifications were made in
the tool. The draft tool consisted of 7 items in the Demographic variables and
40 items in the knowledge questionnaire. Based on the suggestions given by
the validators, necessary modifications were made. The final tool consisted of
9 items in the demographic variables and 40 items in the knowledge
questionnaire.
Establishing reliability of the tool: Reliability is the degree of consistency
that the instrument or procedure demonstrates.17 Reliability of the tool was
carried out among 10 subjects working in Spandana rehabilitation centre. Split
half technique was used to estimate the reliability of the knowledge
questionnaire. Spearman brown prophecy formula was used to determine the
reliability. The value obtained was 0.75. Hence the tool is considered to be
reliable.

Description of the final tool

The final tool consisted of the following two parts:
Tool I: Demographic variables.
Tool II: knowledge questionnaire to assess the knowledge of staff nurses
regarding the mental health act

The items in the knowledge questionnaire were divided into historical

perspective, definitions of the act, conditions’ of the act and objectives of the
act. Historical perspective section included six questions, definitions of the act
section included four questions, conditions of the act included twenty six
questions and objectives of the act included four questions. Scores were
assigned as 1 and 0 for positive item and negative item respectively. The
maximum possible score was 40 and minimum was 0 in the questionnaire.

Development of Guide Sheet

Information guide sheet regarding mental health act was developed based on
the review of literature. The steps adopted in the development of guide sheet
were
 Preparation of first draft of guide sheet
 Editing of guide sheet
 Preparation of final draft of guide sheet

Preparation of Guide Sheet

The information guide sheet was prepared on the basis of review of literature,
which pertained to the development of guide sheet regarding mental health
act.

Content Validity of Guide Sheet

To ensure content validity of the guide sheet, it was given to mental health
nursing experts.
The experts were requested to give their opinions and suggestions on the
content of the guide sheet. Necessary modification was made on the basis
of the expert’s suggestions.

Pilot Study
Pilot study is a small preliminary investigation of the same general character
as a major study. The main aim was to assess the feasibility, practicability,
and assessment of adequacy of measurement (Polit, 1999). The investigator
conducted the pilot study in Spandana rehabilitation centre, Bangalore from
14-12-09 to 16-12-09. The sample size for pilot study was ten. The
objectives of the pilot study are
 To find out how much time is needed to answer all questions.
 To identify whether the subjects understood the questions.
 To refine the instrument.
Prior to the pilot study, permission was obtained from the concerned
authority. The purpose of the study was explained to the subjects prior to the
study, to obtain their cooperation, an informed consent was taken. After
which the instrument was administered to the nurses. Each participant took
about 20-30 minutes to complete the questionnaire. The information guide
sheet was given to the participants after the completion of the questionnaire.
The study was found to be feasible and practicable. No modification was
made in the tool after the pilot study. Data analysis was done using
descriptive and inferential statistics (Annexure 13).

Data collection process

A formal written permission was obtained from the administrator of
Spandana hospital private limited, Bangalore (Annexure 2). Data was
collected from 17-12-09 to 28-12-09. The investigator personally visited the
hospital and introduced himself to the unit chief and explained the purpose
of the study. Prior to data collection, the investigator familiarised himself
with the subjects and explained to them the purpose of the study. He
requested the participant’s full cooperation and assured them confidentiality
of their response. An informed consent was obtained from the subjects
(Annexure 11).

The investigator was motivated throughout the study by the cooperation of

the subjects and their positive response. The subjects were very cooperative
and showed much interest in the study. The investigator was satisfied and
happy with the cooperation, interest, and appreciation from others.
The data collected was compiled for data analysis.
Plan for data analysis
Data was planned to be analysed on the basis of objectives and hypothesis.

 Demographic variables would be analysed in terms of frequency and

percentage and presented in the form of tables and figures.
 The knowledge scores of staff nurses will be analysed in terms of mean,
mean percentage, median and standard deviation and will be presented
in the form of tables.
 The association between knowledge and selected variables will be
analysed by a 2x2 contingency table chi-square test.

Problems faced during data collection

 The data collection time varied for each sample according to the duty
timings (shift) of the staff nurses.

Summary
In this chapter the research approach, setting of the study, population, sample
and sampling technique, sampling criteria, development and testing of the tool,
development of the information guide sheet, pilot study, data collection
process, and plan for data analysis are discussed. The next chapter deals with
the result of the study.

RESULTS
Table 3: Frequency and percentage distribution according to the years of
experience in the psychiatry ward
N=50
Variable Freq
uenc Perce
ntage
y(f) (%)
Years of in the
experience
psychiatry ward
a.Less
b.2.1 tothan 2years
5 years 42 84
c.5.1 to 10 years 4 8
4
- 8
-
d.10.1 years and
above
Total 50 100

Data in table 3 and figure 5 shows that 84% of the staff nurses had less than
2 years of experience whereas 8% of the staff nurses had their experience
between 2.1 to 5 years and 8% of the staff nurses had their professional
experience between 5.1 to 10 years.
Table 4. Frequency and percentage distribution according to the
religion
Organization of Findings

The data is analyzed and presented under the following headings.

Section I: The demographic characteristics.

Section II: Knowledge score of staff nurses regarding mental health act.
Section III: Association between knowledge score and demographic
variables.
Section I: The Demographic Characteristics
This section deals with the analysis of data related to the demographic
characteristics of the staff nurses.
Table 1: Frequency and percentage distribution according to the age
N=50
Variabl
e Frequ
ency Percent
age (%)
(f)
Religio
n
a.Hind
u 21 42
b.Chri
stian 28 56
c.Musli
m 1 2
d.Any
others - -
Total 50 100
Data in table 4 and figure 6 shows that Forty two percent of the staff nurses
belonged to Hindu religion; 56% of the staff nurses were Christians and 2%
of the staff nurses were Muslims.
Table 5: Frequency and percentage distribution according to
the income
Variable Frequency (f)
N=50
Percentage (%)
Income
a.Up to 5000 42 84
b.5001 to 10000 8 16
c.10,001 to 15,000 - - N=50
d.15,001 and above - -
Total 50 100
 ] Variable Frequency (f) Percentage (%)
Data in table 5 and figure 7 shows that 84% of the staff nurses earned up to
Age in years
a.20 – 30 46 92
5000 per month
b.31 – 40 whereas
4 only
8 16% earned between Rs 5001 to 10,000
c.41 – 50 - -
d.51 and above - -
Table 6. Frequency and percentage distribution according to the marital
Total 50 100

status
Data in table 1 and figure 3 shows that 92 % of the staff nurses were in the age
group of 20-30 years whereas 8% of the staff nurses were in the age group of
31-40 years.
Table 2. Frequency and percentage distribution according to the
professional qualification
Variable Frequency (f) Percentage (%)
N=50
Professional qualification
a.General nursing 32 64
b.B.Sc Nursing 18 36
c.M.Sc Nursing - -
d.Additional Qualification - -
Total 50 100
N=50
Variable Frequency (f) Percentage (%)
Marital status
a. Unmarried 43 86
b. Married 7 14
c. Widow - -
d. Divorcee - -
Total 50 100
Data in table 6 and figure 8 shows that 86% of the staff nurses were unmarried
whereas 14% of the staff nurses were married.
Table 7. Frequency and percentage distribution according to the
gender

Data in table 2 and figure 4 shows that 64% of the staff nurses had done their
training in general nursing whereas 36% of the staff nurses had done B.Sc
nursing.
 N=50
Varia Freque Percent
ble ncy (f) age (%)
Gend
er
a.Mal 12 24
e
b.Fe 38 76
male
Total 50 100
Data in table 7 and figure 9 shows that twenty four percent of the staff nurses
were male whereas 76% of them were females
Table 5: grading of knowledge Score of Respondents on mental
health act
N=50
Table 8: Frequency and Ra Frequ Percen
percentage distribution ng ency tage
e (f) (%)
according to the Excell 31- 1 2
source of information ent 40
Good 21-
30 26 52
N=50 Satisf
actory 11-
20 21 42
Variable Frequency (f) Poor 0-
10 2 4
Percentage (%)
Source of information
a. Radio - -
b. Televisi - -
on
c.Magazi 9 18
ne
d.Newsp 14 28
aper
e. Health professional 27 54
Total 50 100

Data in table 8 and figure 10 shows that twenty percent of the staff nurses’
source of information regarding the mental health act was television; 18% from
magazine; 28% from newspaper and 54% from health professionals.
Section II: Knowledge score of staff nurses regarding mental health act.
Table 2. Range, Mean, SD, median and mean percentage of overall
knowledge Score of Respondents on mental health act
N=50
 Section III: Association between knowledge score and demographic
variables.
H0: There will be no association between knowledge score and selected
demographic variables at 0.05 level.

Table 6. Chi-square test for association between knowledge score and

demographic variables
N=50
Variable <median ≥ median Chi- Inference
Overall Knowledge scores square
value
1. Age 23 23
Range Mean SD Median a. Mean
20 – 30 percentage
0 4 9-321.96 21.06
NS
b. 31and above
4.49 21 52.65 2. Professional
qualification 20 21
a. General nursing 0.22 NS
b. Degree in nursing
Data in table 2 shows that knowledge scores of respondents range between
9 and 32; mean is 21.06; standard deviation is
4.49; median is 21 and mean percentage is 52.65.
Table 3. Area wise Mean, SD and mean percentage knowledge Score of
Respondents on mental health act
3. Years of experience
a. Less than 2years
b. 2.1 and above

4. Income
a. Up to 5000
b. 5001 and above

5. Marital status
a. Unmarried

b. Married

6. Gender
a. Male

b. Female

7. Source of
3 6
22 20

1 7
22 20

1 7
21 22

2 5
5 7

18 20
 2.85 NS

2.85 NS

0.35 NS
Area Maximum Minimum Maximum Mean SD Mean
possible %
Historical 5 1 6 3.04 1.16 50
perspective
0.12 NS 4
Definitions 0 4 2.16 1.02 55

information 21
Conditions 5 26 13.24 3.11 50

a. Mass media4
of the act
Objectives 1 4 2.66 0.77 67.5
of the act
b. Health professional
10 13 0.11 NS
13 14
Data in table 3 shows that mean percentage in the area of objectives of the act
is highest (67.5) whereas mean percentage in the area of historical perspective
and conditions of the act is lowest (50).
Table 4. Area wise range, mean, standard deviation and median
knowledge Score of Respondents on mental health act
χ2 ( 0.05; 1 df ) = 3.841; NS- Not Significant
The findings in Table 6 show that there was no association between the
knowledge score and selected demographic variables at 0.05 level. Hence,
the null hypothesis (H0) is accepted.
Summary

Area Ra M Me S
ng ea dian D
e n
Historical 1-5 33 1.
perspectiv 16
e 0
4
Definitions 0-4 22 1.
02
1
6
Conditions 5- 13 13 3.
of the act 21 .2 11
4
Objectives 1-4 23 0.
of the act 77
6
6
Data in table 4 shows that range, mean, median and standard deviation of
historical perspective is 1-5, 3.04, 3, 1.16;
definitions is 0-4, 2.16, 2, 1.02; conditions of the act is 5-21,
13.24, 13, 3.11 and objectives of the act is 1-4, 2.66, 3, 0.77 respectively. Data
in table 5 shows that majority of the samples (52%) have good knowledge and
42% of the samples have satisfactory knowledge on mental health act. 2% and
4% of the samples have excellent and poor knowledge on mental health act
respectively.
 0
This chapter dealt with analysis and interpretation of the data
collected from 50 staff nurses working in a selected psychiatric hospital.
Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for analysis. It was shown
that knowledge scores of respondents ranged between 9 and 32 and mean
was 21.06. Majority of the samples (52%) had good knowledge and 42% of
the samples had satisfactory knowledge on mental health act.

Two percent and 4% of the samples had excellent and poor knowledge on
mental health act respectively. There was no association between the
knowledge score and selected demographic variables such as Age,
Professional qualification, Years of experience, Income, Marital status,
Gender, Source of information at 0.05 level
13374 Mr. Rajratan and Lakshmi, study to assess the knowledge regarding mental health act among staff nurses
at selected psychiatric ospitals in bangalore with a view to develop an information guide sheet
A

Major findings of the study Sample characteristics

 Ninety two percent of the staff nurses were in the age group of 20-30 years
whereas 8% of the staff nurses were in the age group of 31-40 years.
 Sixty four percent of the staff nurses had done their training in general nursing

whereas 36% of the staff nurses had done B.Sc nursing.

 Eighty four percent of the staff nurses had less than 2 years of experience

whereas 8% of the staff nurses had their experience between 2.1 to 5 years
and 8% of the staff nurses had their professional experience between 5.1 to 10
years.
 Forty two percent of the staff nurses belonged to Hindu religion; 56% of the

staff nurses were Christians and 2% of the staff nurses were Muslims.
 Eighty four percent of the staff nurses earned up to 5000 per month whereas

only 16% earned between Rs 5001 to 10,000.

 Twenty percent of the staff nurses’ source of information regarding the mental

health act was television; 18% from magazine; 28% from newspaper and 54%
from health professionals.
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