World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

MYTH, SUPERSTITION AND BELIEF IN THE NEURO-PSYCHIATRIC DISORDER IN URBAN AND RURAL AREAS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Devarshi Shah*, Namrata Rao, Sikha Talati and Ketan Rathod

ABSTRACT

Background: Although we live in the 21st century, the mindset of the people still believes in the superstition, myth
about the neuropsychiatric disorder. The beliefs that outbreak of the neuropsychiatric disorder as an unnatural or
supernatural activities can be most frequently seen in the population. Before approaching to the physicians, the
patients and their relatives tend to approach to the spiritual healers or perform the exorcism, shaman. Material and
Methodology: Prospective, comparative research, cross sectional closed questionnaire based survey of 235
patients in total out of which 124 patients are reciting in the urban areas and 111 patients are reciting in the rural
areas who met the consideration criteria attending both O.P.D. and I.P.D. units of the Hospital for Mental Health,
Shahibaug were chosen. The information was collected on the basis of the socio demographic information of the
patient and Supernatural Attitude Questionnaire (SAQ). Results: In Urban population around 54% people believed
in sorcery/witchcraft, 59% people believed in ghosts/evil spirits, 55% people performed Pooja/Rituals for the cure
of the neuropsychiatric disorder and around 53% people visited faith healer. In Rural population around 65%
people believed in sorcery/witchcraft, 64% people believed in ghosts/evil spirits, 69% people performed
Pooja/Rituals for the cure of the neuropsychiatric disorder and around 64% people visited faith healer. Rural
population seems to be more influenced by the supernatural practices and the supernatural beliefs as compared to
the Urban population. Conclusion: There is a common belief in the relationship between the superstitious notions,
supernatural influences and the neuropsychiatric disorder among the patient/ relative/ attendant. Rural population
tend to be more influenced by the supernatural influences may be due to effect of background and enviornmental
influence.

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