Identifying barriers and facilitators for health risk behaviours among people with severe mental illness in Bangladesh and Pakistan: a qualitative study

People with severe mental illness (SMI) are at greater risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes than the general population, due to a higher prevalence of health risk behaviours. Research is needed to inform tailored interventions to improve the health behaviours (diet, physical activity...

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Main Authors: Badur Un Nisa, Imogen Featherstone, Gerardo A. Zavala, Humaira Bibi, Md Badruddin Saify, Mahmudul Hasan, Faiza Aslam, Asad Tamizuddin Nizami, Rumana Haque, Najma Siddiqi, Richard I.G. Holt, Hannah Maria Jennings
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press 2025-01-01
Series:Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health
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Online Access:https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2054425125100162/type/journal_article
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author Badur Un Nisa
Imogen Featherstone
Gerardo A. Zavala
Humaira Bibi
Md Badruddin Saify
Mahmudul Hasan
Faiza Aslam
Asad Tamizuddin Nizami
Rumana Haque
Najma Siddiqi
Richard I.G. Holt
Hannah Maria Jennings
author_facet Badur Un Nisa
Imogen Featherstone
Gerardo A. Zavala
Humaira Bibi
Md Badruddin Saify
Mahmudul Hasan
Faiza Aslam
Asad Tamizuddin Nizami
Rumana Haque
Najma Siddiqi
Richard I.G. Holt
Hannah Maria Jennings
author_sort Badur Un Nisa
collection DOAJ
description People with severe mental illness (SMI) are at greater risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes than the general population, due to a higher prevalence of health risk behaviours. Research is needed to inform tailored interventions to improve the health behaviours (diet, physical activity and sleep) of people with SMI in South Asia as these behaviours are closely linked to obesity. The study aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators to healthy diet, physical activity and good sleep among individuals with SMI. A qualitative design was employed using photovoice, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Participants included 16 people with SMI, 16 caregivers and 17 health professionals in Bangladesh and Pakistan. Data were analysed thematically, informed by the socio-ecological framework. A complex interplay of individual, familial and societal factors influenced these health behaviours. Individual factors include knowledge, beliefs and mental health limitations. Caregivers play a crucial role in influencing behaviour. At the societal level, gender expectations, financial constraints and religious influences significantly impact these behaviours. The insights from this research can inform tailored interventions for this vulnerable group and highlight the need for integrated services, financial support and improved urban planning.
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series Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health
spelling doaj-art-e3fa0b1d9509470abfc4e7db40a113c52025-08-20T03:14:47ZengCambridge University PressCambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health2054-42512025-01-011210.1017/gmh.2025.10016Identifying barriers and facilitators for health risk behaviours among people with severe mental illness in Bangladesh and Pakistan: a qualitative studyBadur Un Nisa0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6235-3096Imogen Featherstone1Gerardo A. Zavala2Humaira Bibi3Md Badruddin Saify4Mahmudul Hasan5Faiza Aslam6Asad Tamizuddin Nizami7Rumana Haque8Najma Siddiqi9Richard I.G. Holt10Hannah Maria Jennings11Institute of Psychiatry, https://ror.org/02maedm12 Rawalpindi Medical University , Rawalpindi, Pakistan Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, PakistanDepartment of Health Sciences, https://ror.org/04m01e293 University of York , York, UKDepartment of Health Sciences, https://ror.org/04m01e293 University of York , York, UKInstitute of Psychiatry, https://ror.org/02maedm12 Rawalpindi Medical University , Rawalpindi, Pakistanhttps://ror.org/00sv97b10 ARK Foundation , Dhaka, Bangladeshhttps://ror.org/00sv97b10 ARK Foundation , Dhaka, BangladeshInstitute of Psychiatry, https://ror.org/02maedm12 Rawalpindi Medical University , Rawalpindi, PakistanInstitute of Psychiatry, https://ror.org/02maedm12 Rawalpindi Medical University , Rawalpindi, Pakistanhttps://ror.org/00sv97b10 ARK Foundation , Dhaka, BangladeshDepartment of Health Sciences, https://ror.org/04m01e293 University of York , York, UK Hull York Medical School, https://ror.org/0003e4m70 University of York , York, UKHuman Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK Southampton National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UKDepartment of Health Sciences, https://ror.org/04m01e293 University of York , York, UK Hull York Medical School, https://ror.org/0003e4m70 University of York , York, UKPeople with severe mental illness (SMI) are at greater risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes than the general population, due to a higher prevalence of health risk behaviours. Research is needed to inform tailored interventions to improve the health behaviours (diet, physical activity and sleep) of people with SMI in South Asia as these behaviours are closely linked to obesity. The study aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators to healthy diet, physical activity and good sleep among individuals with SMI. A qualitative design was employed using photovoice, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Participants included 16 people with SMI, 16 caregivers and 17 health professionals in Bangladesh and Pakistan. Data were analysed thematically, informed by the socio-ecological framework. A complex interplay of individual, familial and societal factors influenced these health behaviours. Individual factors include knowledge, beliefs and mental health limitations. Caregivers play a crucial role in influencing behaviour. At the societal level, gender expectations, financial constraints and religious influences significantly impact these behaviours. The insights from this research can inform tailored interventions for this vulnerable group and highlight the need for integrated services, financial support and improved urban planning.https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2054425125100162/type/journal_articlesevere mental illnessdeveloping countriesrisk factorsbarriersfocus groups
spellingShingle Badur Un Nisa
Imogen Featherstone
Gerardo A. Zavala
Humaira Bibi
Md Badruddin Saify
Mahmudul Hasan
Faiza Aslam
Asad Tamizuddin Nizami
Rumana Haque
Najma Siddiqi
Richard I.G. Holt
Hannah Maria Jennings
Identifying barriers and facilitators for health risk behaviours among people with severe mental illness in Bangladesh and Pakistan: a qualitative study
Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health
severe mental illness
developing countries
risk factors
barriers
focus groups
title Identifying barriers and facilitators for health risk behaviours among people with severe mental illness in Bangladesh and Pakistan: a qualitative study
title_full Identifying barriers and facilitators for health risk behaviours among people with severe mental illness in Bangladesh and Pakistan: a qualitative study
title_fullStr Identifying barriers and facilitators for health risk behaviours among people with severe mental illness in Bangladesh and Pakistan: a qualitative study
title_full_unstemmed Identifying barriers and facilitators for health risk behaviours among people with severe mental illness in Bangladesh and Pakistan: a qualitative study
title_short Identifying barriers and facilitators for health risk behaviours among people with severe mental illness in Bangladesh and Pakistan: a qualitative study
title_sort identifying barriers and facilitators for health risk behaviours among people with severe mental illness in bangladesh and pakistan a qualitative study
topic severe mental illness
developing countries
risk factors
barriers
focus groups
url https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2054425125100162/type/journal_article
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