Effectiveness of an anti-stigma training on improving attitudes and decreasing discrimination towards people with mental disorders among care assistant workers in Guangzhou, China Author Jie Li, Yu Fan, Hua-Qing Zhong, Xiao-Ling Duan, Wen Chen, Sara Evans-Lacko, Graham Thornicroft Publication Year 2019 Type Journal Article Abstract Background: Care assistant workers as a new pattern of care providers in China play an important role in bridging the mental health treatment gap. Stigma and discrimination against people with mental disorders among care assistant workers is a barrier which adversely influences mental health service delivery. However, programs aimed at reducing stigma among care assistant workers are rare in China. Methods: A total of 293 care assistant workers from four districts of Guangzhou, China were randomly divided into an intervention group (n = 139) and a control group (n = 154). The intervention group received anti-stigma training and the control group received traditional mental health training. Both trainings lasted for 3 h. Participants were measured before and after training using Perceived Devaluation and Discrimination Scale (PDD), Mental illness: Clinicians' Attitudes (MICA) and Mental Health Knowledge Schedule (MAKS). Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, Chi square test or Fisher's exact test. Multilinear regression models were performed to calculate adjusted regression coefficient of the intervention on PPD, MAKS, and MICA. Results: There were significant lower scores on PDD and MICA in the intervention group after training when compared with the control group (both P < 0.001). No significant difference was found on MAKS total score between the two groups after training (P = 0.118). Both groups had better correct identification of schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder before and after training. Conclusions: These findings suggest that anti-stigma training may be effective in reducing the perception of devaluation-discrimination against people with mental illness and decreasing the level of negative stigma-related mental health attitudes among care assistant workers. © 2019 The Author(s). Keywords care assistant workers, low-and middle-income countries, mental health, stigma, treatment gap Journal International Journal of Mental Health Systems Volume 13 Type of Article Journal Article DOI 10.1186/s13033-018-0259-2 Full text Open access via the link provided. Type of Prejudice/Bias Ability Country China Method Field Setting Work Google ScholarDOIBibTeX