Attitude towards antipsychotics among out-patients with schizophrenia in Nigeria

Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2006 Mar;113(3):207-11. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2005.00745.x.

Abstract

Objective: The study aim to assess the attitude of patients with schizophrenia attending out-patient clinics in Nigeria towards antipsychotic medication and examine the factors associated with such attitude.

Method: Out-patients with schizophrenia (n = 312) completed the 10-item Drug Attitude Inventory. They were also evaluated for sociodemographic details, illness-related and drug-related variables.

Results: Overall, the patients had a good attitude towards antipsychotic medication. The factors significantly associated with poor attitude towards medication include presence of symptoms, presence of side-effects like dyskinesia and sedation, lack of insight into the illness, and being employed.

Conclusion: Special attention should be paid to patients with these factors while designing programmes to improve overall compliance in patients with schizophrenia.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Ambulatory Care*
  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Attitude to Health / ethnology*
  • Culture*
  • Demography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nigeria
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents