Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40724050›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of environmental research and public health2025

Mental Health Stigma and Help-Seeking Behaviors Among Primary Healthcare Physicians in Oman.

Tharaya Al-Hashemi, Tamadhir Al-Mahrouqi, Salim Al-Huseini, Muna Al Salmi, Rahma Al Nuumani, Fatma Al Balushi, Al Khatib Al Saadi, Muna AlKalbani, Sachin Jose, Samir Al-Adawi

Abstract read
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Article in International journal of environmental research and public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
9citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

9 citing papers in PubMed.

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  9. Acute stress management training for elite performance under pressure.Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical Center)
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Tharaya Al-HashemiAl Masarra Hospital, Ministry of Health, Muscat 123, Oman.
Tamadhir Al-MahrouqiDepartment of Behavioral Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat 123, Oman.
Salim Al-HuseiniAl Masarra Hospital, Ministry of Health, Muscat 123, Oman.ORCID 0000-0002-6557-7033
Muna Al SalmiAl Masarra Hospital, Ministry of Health, Muscat 123, Oman.
Rahma Al NuumaniAl Masarra Hospital, Ministry of Health, Muscat 123, Oman.
Fatma Al BalushiAl Masarra Hospital, Ministry of Health, Muscat 123, Oman.
Al Khatib Al SaadiDepartment of Psychiatry, Sohar Hospital, Ministry of Health, Muscat 123, Oman.
Muna AlKalbaniComputing Department, Muscat College, Muscat 123, Oman.ORCID 0000-0003-3619-0849
Sachin JoseResearch Department, Oman Medical Specialty Board, Muscat 123, Oman.
Samir Al-AdawiDepartment of Behavioural Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman.ORCID 0000-0002-9858-5582

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIn Oman, primary healthcare physicians (PHPs) are often the first point of contact in the healthcare system. Understanding the prevalence and impact of stigma among these professionals is crucial to fostering a supportive work environment and promoting access to mental health care. This study evaluated mental health stigma and its association with help-seeking behaviors among PHPs in Muscat, Oman.

methodsA cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from March to May 2023 using cluster random sampling to recruit 191 PHPs. Participants completed a structured questionnaire that evaluated demographic and clinical characteristics, help-seeking behaviors, and perceived stigma. The PPSS developed for this study underwent expert review, pilot tests, and reliability analysis. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and multivariate logistic regression, with a significance set at

resultsMost of the participants were women (78.5%), aged 30-39 years (49.7%), and Omani nationals (71.2%). More than half (57.6%) reported experiencing depressive episodes, yet only 21.8% sought professional help. High levels of stigma were associated with reluctance to seek professional mental health support, and 24.6% of participants preferred not to seek help at all. Those in the stigma group were significantly more likely to rely on family or friends for support (adjusted OR = 2.873; 95% CI = 1.345-6.138;

conclusionsMental health stigma remains a widespread problem among primary healthcare physicians in Oman, influencing their behavior and preferences. Interventions to reduce stigma and address barriers to mental health care, such as enhanced confidentiality safeguards and treatment skepticism, are critical to improving physician well-being and healthcare delivery. This study can inform policy and training programs aimed at improving physician well-being and patient care.

Indexed as

Help-Seeking BehaviorMental HealthPatient Acceptance of Health CarePhysicians, Primary CareSocial StigmaAdultAttitude of Health PersonnelCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedOmanSurveys and Questionnairesattitude to healthhelp-seeking behaviormental disordersOmanphysiciansstigma

Identifiers

PMID40724050
PMCPMC12295276

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.