Attitude Towards Psychiatry Among Northern Border Univer¬sity Medical Students: Before and After the Psychiatry Module

Abstract

Background and Aims: The attitude towards psychiatry is crucial for undergraduate medical students, as they will encounter patients with mental disorders in their future careers. This study aimed to assess the attitudes of Northern Border University (NBU) medical students towards psychiatry before and after their psychiatric training. Methods: A quasi-experimental institution-based study was conducted among 5th-year medical students at NBU. The study utilized the “Attitudes Toward Psychiatry-30 Items” (ATP-30) questionnaire as the data collection instrument, administered both before and after the psychiatry module. Data analysis used SPSS, employing Chi-square tests and parametric statistics with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Results: Sixty-eight medical students participated in the study. While the overall ATP-30 scores did not show a significant change after the Psychiatry Module, the initial attitudes were generally positive. There was no significant association between total scores and socio-demographic factors such as gender, origin, marital status, economic levels, academic performance, family history of psychiatric illness, or past psychiatric history. However, prior contact with psychiatric patients was significantly associated with a positive attitude before the module (P≤ 0.048). Specific groups showed significant improvement in ATP-30 scores after the module: female students (P≤ 0.007), students aged 21-23 years (P≤ 0.041), students previously diagnosed with psychiatric illnesses (P≤ 0.037), and students with low academic performance (P≤ 0.018). Conclusions: Psychiatry training didn’t significantly improve the overall attitudes of students. Further research is needed to explore the reasons behind this and to develop targeted approaches for groups that didn’t show a change in their post-module attitudes.

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