An Exploration of Gender Differentials on Availability of Mental Healthcare Services among the Yoruba of Ogun State, Nigeria

The rare level of unmet necessity for mental healthcare services is disturbing in Nigeria. Although studies exist on the availability of mental healthcare services, little attention has been paid to gender differences. This study therefore examined gender differentials in the availability of mental healthcare services among the Yoruba of Ogun State, Nigeria. Qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection were used. The data was based on cross-sectional survey of communities and four neuropsychiatric hospitals in Ogun State, Nigeria. Through proportionate sample size distribution to the LGAs, nine hundred and sixty seven adults aged 18 years and above were randomly selected. Five In-depth Interviews were conducted among caregivers of People Living with Mental Illness (PLWMI) (Those who are receiving treatment and those who have recovered) and nineteen key informant interviews were conducted among orthodox practitioners (Psychiatrists and social workers) and traditional healers that reside in the study area. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings from this study showed that the average age of respondents was 22.2 years. Out of the total, 52.2 percent of the respondents were female while 45.8 percent were male gender. In respect to awareness on primary healthcare services, only 8.9 percent of female respondents were aware compared to 19.7 percent of the men. Further, only 14.5 percent of the male respondents were aware of the secondary healthcare service when compared to 25.4 percent of their female counterparts. Lastly, 65.8 percent and 65.7 percent of the male and female respondents respectively were aware of the availability of tertiary healthcare services. This study concluded and recommended the need for more awareness and availability of these three levels of healthcare services on mental illness in Ogun State, particularly the primary healthcare centers which should be the first point of call for people living with mental illness.