| dc.description.abstract | Stigma has been identified as a significant barrier to the success of mental health promotions and
programs. Therefore, understanding stigma towards individuals with mental illness is crucial for
promoting inclusion and advancing the mental health systems. However, there is limited research
focused on factors that contribute to stigma reduction. The Moldovan government in collaboration
with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation have been implementing a mental health
reform (MENSANA) in Moldova, aimed to establish a community based mental health system. This
study is aimed to examine the differences in stigma levels using the Community Attitudes towards the
Mentally Ill (CAMI) scale across various socio-demographic characteristics. Additionally, the study
explored the association of piloting districts with the mental health reform and the overall score of
CAMI. In a cross-sectional study, the sample comprised 2973 adults. One-way ANOVA and T-test
were used to assess the difference in CAMI scores across socio-demographic variables. Moderation
analysis was conducted using PROCESS version 3.5. Results from the analysis of variances indicated
slightly higher stigma levels among individuals with lower educational attainment (F=10.813, df1=3,
df2=2969, p-value=<0.001). The independent t-test revealed that stigma levels were slightly higher
among males who lacked social contact with individuals with mental illness (t=-4.257, df=2971,
p<0.001; t=-5.322, df=2971, p<0.001). Although social contact was not found to be a moderator of
piloting districts with mental health, a significant main effect was found, demonstrating that stigma
was lower among those who have prior social contact experiences with individuals with mental illness
(B=0.0855, SE=0.0167, t=5.1149, p<0.001). This study demonstrated that prior contact experiences
with the mentally ill is a significant predictor of stigma level. To that end, follow-up research is
needed to concretize the results into a stigma reduction program in Moldova | |
