Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Schizophrenia Among Secondary School Teachers in Kaduna State, North West Nigeria

Schizophrenia is frequently misunderstood among non-clinical populations, and teachers occupy a critical position in shaping early perceptions of mental illness among young people. This descriptive cross-sectional study examines the knowledge and attitudes of secondary school teachers in Kaduna State, North West Nigeria, toward schizophrenia. A total of 200 teachers drawn from 20 public secondary schools across urban and rural local government areas will participate. Data will be collected using the Knowledge About Schizophrenia Questionnaire (KASQ) and the Attribution Questionnaire-27 (AQ-27). Sociodemographic variables including educational attainment, gender, teaching experience, and prior exposure to mental health education will be recorded. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses will identify predictors of knowledge gaps and stigmatizing attitudes. Existing studies in Northern Nigeria have documented considerable misconceptions about psychosis, often attributing its cause to spiritual forces. This study extends that literature by targeting educators who interact daily with at-risk adolescents. Results are expected to inform the design of targeted mental health literacy programs for teachers and support the integration of mental health content into teacher training curricula in North West Nigeria. Keywords: schizophrenia, knowledge, attitudes, teachers, Kaduna State