Mental Health Literacy Among Urban and Rural Residents of Guangdong Province, China

Abstract

Xiao-Yan He,1 Wen-Yan Tan,2 Li-Li Guo,1 Ying-Ying Ji,1 Fu-Jun Jia,2 Shi-Bin Wang2,3 1The Affiliated Mental Health Center of Jiangnan University, Wuxi Central Rehabilitation Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China; 2Guangdong Mental Health Center, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People’s Republic of China; 3School of Health, Zhuhai College of Science and Technology, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Ying-Ying Ji, 5/F. The Affiliated Mental Health Center of Jiangnan University, Wuxi Central Rehabilitation Hospital, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China, Tel [phone], Fax [phone], Email [email protected] Shi-Bin Wang, 3/F, Guangdong Mental Health Center, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People’s Republic of China, Tel [phone], Fax [phone], Email [email protected]: The study aims to understanding the mental health literacy level of urban and rural residents in Guangdong Province, the first major province in China, and its influencing factors is crucial.Methods: A multi-stage stratified equal-volume random sampling method was adopted in October-December 2022 to select permanent residents aged 18 years and above in Guangdong Province for the questionnaire survey, which consisted of a general demographic information questionnaire and a national mental health literacy questionnaire. Rao-Scott χ²-test with correction based on sampling design, independent samples t-test and binary multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed.Results: A total of 51744 individuals completed the questionnaire, including 31822 urban residents and 19200 rural residents. The rate of achievement of mental health literacy was 13.6% among urban residents, which was significantly higher compared to the rate of 8.6% among rural residents. Logistic regression analysis showed that female, higher education, being mental worker, being a retiree, having a higher monthly household income, maintaining a regular diet, and using electronic products for 2– 6 hours per day were protective factors for mental health literacy attainment in urban residents, while having chronic diseases, being a smoker and having a history of drinking were identified as risk factors in urban residents. Among in rural residents, married, younger, higher education, being mental worker and using electronic products for 2– 6 hours per day, maintaining a regular diet, and engaging in regular exercise were protective factors for achieving mental health literacy, while previous smoking was a risk factor.Conclusion: The study revealed a low level of mental health literacy among urban and rural residents of Guangdong Province, with a significant disparity between the two areas. These findings highlight the need for continuing efforts to increase the dissemination of mental health knowledge in rural communities and improve levels of mental health literacy.Keywords: mental health literacy, urban and rural residents, cross-sectional studies

Keywords

• mental health literacy
• urban and rural residents
• cross-sectional studies