BackgroundThe internet is widely used as a source of health information, and the negative effects of this practice is well documented. Cyberchondria, the unfounded escalation of concerns about common symptoms based on review of online information has been identified as a major concern. This area has not been studied in Sri Lanka. AimsWe studied the prevalence, nature and effects of cyberchondria among outpatients in Sri Lanka. MethodsData was gathered from 300 outpatients, 150 patients each attending a government and private hospital in Western province using a self-administered questionnaire. ResultsOut of 300 participants 178 were female and the average age was 42 years. Only 24% of the participants used the internet as an information source on health related issues. The prevalence of cyberchondria was 16.3% in our study population. Cyberchondria was significantly more common among outpatients of the private hospital. A majority of patients who made a self-diagnosis using online information had made an incorrect diagnosis. One third of internet users felt anxious after searching about their symptoms and 34% sought further medical advice following internet use. Conclusions The possible negative effects of online health information is a concern in Sri Lanka. Further studies and public education regarding this area in Sri Lanka are required.

Background Stigma related to mental health is not limited to individuals with mental illness or their families; health professionals working in mental health are also affected by it. Stigma among mental health professionals may lead to lack of work satisfaction, and poor recruitment and retention of personnel in the mental health sector resulting in poor mental health care. Stigma among the health professionals in Sri Lanka has not been studied adequately. Aims To study the extent, nature and correlates of stigma due to their work in mental health among mental health professionals in Sri Lanka. Methods This descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among healthcare professionals working in mental health, using a self-administered questionnaire. Results We studied a total of 125 professionals, including 6 psychiatrists, 14 postgraduate trainees, 17 medical officers, 51 nurses, 5 social workers and 32 ancillary staff working in mental health units of three teaching hospitals and a base hospital in the Western Province. A majority (56%) reported that others think less of them as professionals due to their work in mental health. Many (58%) reported having been either attacked or threatened with physical violence at the workplace, and most victims were nurses and ancillary staff. While 88% reported satisfaction with their work, only 34% indicated they would prefer to work in other branches of medicine. Stigma was least among psychiatrists and highest among nurses, and this difference was significant (p<0.05). Conclusions The experience of stigma and dissatisfaction with work among mental health professionals, particularly nurses and ancillary staff, in Sri Lanka is common. This has implications for mental health care in Sri Lanka.

No abstract