KNOWLEDGE AND UPTAKE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES BY ADULT RESIDENTS IN NESHURO GROWTH POINT, MWENEZI DISTRICT

KNOWLEDGE AND UPTAKE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES BY ADULT RESIDENTS IN NESHURO GROWTH POINT, MWENEZI DISTRICT

KUMBIRAI MAKARUKE

This study investigated the knowledge and uptake of psychological services among adult residents of Neshuro growth point, Mwenezi District. It aimed to inform strategies for enhancing social integration through applied psychology within Neshuro community. The research is based on the Health Belief Model (HBM), which argues that individuals’ perceptions of susceptibility, severity, benefits and barriers to health behaviours influence their uptake of health-related services. Despite Zimbabwe’s growing emphasis on mental health, psychological services remain underutilised, particularly in rural areas. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods to examine the community's understanding of psychological services, factors influencing their utilisation and barriers to access. Quantitative data were collected through a questionnaire administered to 80 adult residents aged 18 and above from Neshuro growth point. Qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured interviews from 10 key informants, including local health workers, community leaders and social service professionals. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics to assess awareness levels and uptake patterns. Thematic analysis complemented by discourse analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data. Findings revealed low awareness of psychological services, with only 40% of respondents understanding their purpose. Chi-square tests highlighted significant associations between education levels and awareness (χ2=12.47, df=3, p=0.006). Thematic analysis identified stigma, cultural misconceptions and high cost as primary barriers. Discourse analysis further revealed how societal narratives perpetuate mistrust in formal psychological services. The study recommended targeted, culturally sensitive public health campaigns utilising trusted community leaders, integration of formal and informal healing systems and decentralised, affordable service delivery models to enhance psychological service utilisation in Zimbabwean growth points. As an innovative contribution, the study proposed the CACIM Framework, which offers a novel model for embedding formal psychological care within indigenous support structures.

The Zimbabwe Open University Journal of Applied Social Sciences

2026