BackgroundMental health literacy is the beliefs and knowledge about mental health issues and their remedies. Attitudes and beliefs of lay individuals about mental illness are shaped by personal knowledge about mental illness, knowing and interacting with someone living with mental illness, and cultural stereotypes. Mental health issues are increasing and are alarming in almost every part of the world, and hence compiling this review provides an opportunity to understand the different views regarding mental disorders and problems as well as to fill the gap in the published literature by focusing only on the belief system and perception of mental health problems among general population.MethodThe methodology involved a systematic review and the meta-synthesis method, which includes synthesizing published qualitative studies on mental health perception and beliefs.SampleFifteen relevant published qualitative and mixed-method studies, regarding the concept of mental health, were identified for meta-synthesis.AnalysisAll the themes of the selected studies were further analyzed to give a broader picture of mental health problems and their perceived causes and management. Only qualitative studies, not older than 2010, focusing on beliefs about, attitudes toward, and perceptions of mental health problems, causes, and treatments were included in this review.ResultsThe findings are divided into four major categories, namely, 1) symptoms of mental health issues, 2) description of mental health issues, 3) perceived causes, and 4) preferred treatment and help-seeking behavior. Each category contains themes and subthemes based on published studies.ConclusionThe findings reveal multiple causes of, descriptions of, and treatment options for mental health problems, thereby providing insight into different help-seeking behaviors. Clarity is offered by highlighting cultural differences and similarities in mental health beliefs and perceptions about the causes of mental health problems. The implications of the studies and recommendations based on current findings are also discussed.

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BackgroundA new series of benzoxazole analogues was synthesized and checked for their in vitro antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer activities.Results and discussionThe synthesized benzoxazole compounds were confirmed by IR, 1H/13C-NMR, mass and screened for their in vitro antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacterium: Bacillus subtilis, four Gram-negative bacteria: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi and two fungal strains: Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger using tube dilution technique and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was noted in µM and compared to ofloxacin and fluconazole. Human colorectal carcinoma (HCT116) cancer cell line was used for the determination of in vitro anticancer activity (IC50 value) by Sulforhodamine B assay using 5-fluorouracil as standard drug.ConclusionThe performed study indicated that the compounds 1, 10, 13, 16, 19, 20 and 24 had highest antimicrobial activity with MIC values comparable to ofloxacin and fluconazole and compounds 4, 6, 25 and 26 had best anticancer activity in comparison to 5-fluorouracil.

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