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Rights of people with mental disorders: Realities in healthcare facilities in Tunisia

Author

Listed:
  • Mayssa Rekhis
  • Abir Ben Hamouda
  • Sami Ouanes
  • Rym Rafrafi

Abstract

Background: Mental disorders have been associated worldwide with human rights’ violations. Controversially, many occur in mental health facilities. Aim: This work aimed to assess the rights of people with mental disorders in healthcare facilities in Tunisia. Methods: A cross-sectional study, using the World Health Organization (WHO) quality-rights toolkit, assessed the human rights levels of achievement in Elrazi Hospital, the only psychiatric hospital in Tunisia, in comparison with the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN). The framework was the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The assessment was carried through observation, documentation review, and interviews with service users, staff, and family members. The sample was composed of 113 interviewees. Results: In Elrazi Hospital, three out of the five evaluated rights were assessed as only initiated: the right to an adequate standard of living, to exercise legal capacity and to be free from inhuman treatment. By comparison, these rights were partially achieved in the NIN. The right to enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health was partially achieved and the right to live independently and to be included in the community was not even initiated. These last two rights were at the same level of achievement in the NIN. Conclusion: Significant improvements are needed to adapt the practice in Elrazi Hospital to comply with human rights, especially since the achievement level of these rights is lower than in a non-psychiatric hospital. Our study emphasizes the importance of spreading the CRPD as a standardized framework.

Suggested Citation

  • Mayssa Rekhis & Abir Ben Hamouda & Sami Ouanes & Rym Rafrafi, 2017. "Rights of people with mental disorders: Realities in healthcare facilities in Tunisia," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 63(5), pages 439-447, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:63:y:2017:i:5:p:439-447
    DOI: 10.1177/0020764017712301
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marie-Pierre Gagnon & Marie Desmartis & Mylène Dipankui & Johanne Gagnon & Michèle St-Pierre, 2013. "Alternatives to Seclusion and Restraint in Psychiatry and in Long-Term Care Facilities for the Elderly: Perspectives of Service Users and Family Members," The Patient: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Springer;International Academy of Health Preference Research, vol. 6(4), pages 269-280, December.
    2. Medhin Selamu & Laura Asher & Charlotte Hanlon & Girmay Medhin & Maji Hailemariam & Vikram Patel & Graham Thornicroft & Abebaw Fekadu, 2015. "Beyond the Biomedical: Community Resources for Mental Health Care in Rural Ethiopia," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(5), pages 1-14, May.
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