Table 3

Help seeking behavior of participants towards a relative with schizophrenia (divided into five categories) (n = 404)


will definitely do
N (%)
will consider doing
N (%)
Will definitely not do
N (%)

Professional medical help



Take him to a family physician
189 (48.3)
97 (24.8)
105 (26.9)
Take him to a psychiatrist
254 (62.9)
70 (17.3)
80 (19.8)
Take him to a mental hospital
29 (7.2)
47 (11.6)
327 (80.9)
Religious remedies



Take him to a Mazaar*
53 (13.2)
62 (15.4)
286 (71.0)
Take him to an Alim/Imam**
129 (31.9)
107 (26.5)
168 (41.6)
Pray
201 (49.9)
96 (23.8)
106 (26.3)
Sadqa khairaatα
223 (55.3)
60 (14.9)
120 (29.8)
Social Interventions



get him married
102 (25.2)
112 (27.7)
190 (47.0)
get him employed
161 (39.9)
113 (28.0)
130 (32.2)
change his job
68 (16.8)
162 (40.1)
174 (43.1)
Magic/Exorcism related



exorcize him
63 (15.6)
87 (21.5)
253 (62.6)
go to an Amil
33 (8.2)
72 (17.8)
297 (73.5)
taweezϒ
42 (10.4)
69 (17.1)
292 (72.3)
No help seeking behavior



talk to him
223 (55.2)
86 (21.3)
95 (23.5)
nothing, rest
173 (42.9)
118 (29.3)
112 (27.8)

* tomb of a religious person, **A religious leader, α sacrifice in the name of God, A person who does black magic, ϒ An item worn around the neck or arm in order to protect against evil.

Each row totals to 404 (100%)

Zafar et al. BMC Psychiatry 2008 8:56   doi:10.1186/1471-244X-8-56