Evaluation of Knowledge and Attitude towards Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder among Pharmacy Students

Abstract

Background: Mental illnesses impact around 450 million people globally. This study's objective is to assess pharmacy student’s knowledge on and attitude towards schizophrenia and bipolar disorders.

Methods: A web-based observational research utilising google forms, a questionnaire on their socio-demographic characteristics as well as inquiries about their knowledge and attitude regarding schizophrenia and bipolar disorder was created and distributed to pharmacy students (n=160) of two educational institutions in Chennai.

Results: In this research it was found that female pharmacy students (51%) had participated more than male pharmacy students (49%) and shows that Pharm.D V year student (39%) has responded the most. The results showed that majority of the students (89%) responded correctly about the types of schizophrenia. Also shows the least number of students (23%) responded correctly as 1% is the worldwide prevalence of Schizophrenia. The higher number of students (51%) has agreed that bipolar disorder includes manic episodes followed by depressive episodes.

Conclusion: According to this study's findings, conclude that pharmacy students had adequate knowledge and attitude towards schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The overall percentage of attitude was found to be higher than the knowledge towards schizophrenia and bipolar disorder among pharmacy students. Furthermore number of studies can be conducted to increase the awareness and positive attitude towards schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.