Mental Health Literacy and Barriers to Care among Rural Women: A Systematic Review
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Abstract
Background: Mental health literacy among rural women remains low in countries such as India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Turkey, and Ghana. Limited awareness, stigma, and restrictive socio-cultural norms contribute to poor recognition, delayed help-seeking, and underutilization of services. Traditional beliefs, rigid gender roles, and poor access to professional care compound these issues, making rural women’s mental health an overlooked concern.
Objective: This systematic review examined levels of mental health literacy among rural women, explored socio-cultural influences on mental health perceptions, and identified barriers to care, with implications for behavioral science and policy in low- and middle-income countries.
Design and Methodology: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, five databases were searched, yielding 170 records. Twelve peer-reviewed studies published between 2008 and 2025 met inclusion criteria, with 2008 chosen as the launch of WHO’s mental health gap action programme. A thematic synthesis, guided by the health belief model and socio-ecological perspectives, integrated findings across quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods designs.
Results: Four major themes emerged. Firstly, mental health literacy was low, through regional variations were observed. Secondly, socio-cultural influences shaped perception, with stigma, supernatural attributions, and reliance on traditional treatments widely reported. Thirdly, barriers included poor access, somatic presentations, affordability, and gender-based restrictions. Finally, interventions such as community education, awareness campaigns, and integration of traditional and biomedical care improved knowledge and reduce stigma, through sustainability was limited.
Conclusion and Implications: Despite some progress, rural women face persistent disadvantages. Interventions must be culturally tailored, community-based, and theory-driven, while future research should emphasize sustainability, intersectional, and rigorous evaluation to strengthen policy impact.
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