Mental Health in Dodoma: What People Know and How They Feel

In July to September 2021, researchers went into the streets of Dodoma’s city centre and asked 204 residents about mental illness. They wanted to see what people understood about it and how they would react if someone close to them were affected. The team used a questionnaire that had been tested in earlier studies, and they chose participants through a multi‑step sampling plan to make sure the sample was diverse. Data were analysed with logistic regression, a statistical method that helps spot which factors drive people’s knowledge and attitudes. Results showed that two‑thirds of the respondents had a decent grasp of mental health issues, and just over half viewed people with mental illness in a positive light. Yet many still held uncomfortable views: 61 % would avoid visiting someone with a mental illness, 80 % would not marry them, and more than half would refuse to share a bedroom.Age, ethnicity, and job type turned out to be key social drivers of how people felt about mental illness. Younger participants were almost ten times more likely to have a favourable attitude, while certain ethnic groups and jobs were linked with stronger stigma. When it came to knowledge, gender, religion, marital status and occupation played big roles. Women were nearly six times more likely to know about mental health, whereas some religious groups and married people showed less awareness. The study’s main message is that knowing about mental health does not automatically erase stigma. Even those who understand the condition can still act unkindly or fearfully toward affected individuals. To bridge this gap, the authors suggest community education programmes, local mental‑health groups, and public awareness campaigns that focus not just on facts but also on changing attitudes. By tackling both knowledge and feelings, such efforts could help people in Dodoma support friends or relatives who struggle with mental illness.