Knowledge and Attitude of Undergraduate Nursing Students Towards Mental Health Nursing at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife

Background: Stigma and limited exposure to psychiatric care continue to shape nursing students' attitudes toward mental health nursing, affecting future workforce quality. Understanding these attitudes at the pre-licensure stage is critical for curriculum reform. Aim: This study assessed the knowledge and attitudes of undergraduate nursing students toward mental health nursing at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, South West Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 150 level-three and level-four nursing students selected by total population sampling. The Community Attitudes toward the Mentally Ill scale and a researcher-developed knowledge tool were administered. Data were analysed with SPSS version 27 using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Sixty-one percent of participants demonstrated moderate knowledge of mental health conditions, while 44% expressed negative attitudes toward patients with psychiatric diagnoses. Students who had completed psychiatric postings reported more positive attitudes than those who had not. Conclusion: Structured psychiatric clinical placements significantly improve student attitudes. This study recommends early and sustained integration of mental health content and clinical exposure in undergraduate nursing curricula across Nigerian universities. Keywords: mental health nursing, nursing students, attitudes, Ile-Ife, stigma.