title: A Pilot Study Evaluating the Stigma and Public Perception about the Causes of Depression and Schizophrenia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To evaluate public perceptions towards the causes of depression and schizophrenia and identifications of factors resulting stigma towards mental ill.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted among the inhabitants of Pulau-Pinang, Malaysia in March, 2009. A 24-item questionnaire was used to obtain respondent views. A non-probability (i.e convenient sampling method) was used to approach the potential respondents. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 13 ®, non-parametric statistics (Chi-square) was applied to determine the association. Alpha value less than 0.05 were considered significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred respondents showed their willingness to participate in the study; overall response of the study was 40.0%. Majority 69% of the respondents were Malays, followed by Chinese and Indians. Public recognition toward depression was higher than schizophrenia. Lack of social support (X(2)= 4.832, P= 0.049), chemical imbalance in Brian (X(2)=6.132, P= 0.013*) and believes in supernatural factors (X(2)= 6.700, P= 0.050) were the commonly shared reasons for the mental disorders. Evaluation in terms of stigma revealed that majority 61 (55.0%). Individuals with mental disorders were not friendly (X(2)= 1.008, P= 0.050). Furthermore, one third of the population believe that they are moody, dangerous and unpredictable, it is better to avoid them.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall findings revealed that Malaysians believe in supernatural reasons for the prevalence of mental disorders. Similarly the level of stigma towards mentally ill was higher among the respondents.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, Pulau Penang, Malaysia ;  College of Clinical Pharmacy, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Al-Afoof, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Tm
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Ma
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hassali
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tahir
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khan
keywords: Depression; Malaysia; Schizophrenia; Supernatural