| Peer-Reviewed

Caregiver’s Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Care of Schizophrenia at Mathari Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya

Received: 20 November 2017    Accepted: 8 December 2017    Published: 16 January 2018
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder which is a major public health concern since it affects the quality of life of the schizophrenic patient. The patient requires a caregiver to support them in the entire phase of the condition. Caregiver’s knowledge facilitate recognition of mental illness and health-seeking behavior. The aim of the study was to assess the caregiver knowledge and attitude regarding care of Schizophrenia. The study was conducted at Mathari Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya where the respondents were the caregivers of the schizophrenic patients. The research design used was cross-sectional mixed method. A total of three hundred and three respondents participated in the study, the respondents were selected by utilizing systemic sampling technique. A list was generated as the sampling frame every 3rd patient on the list was selected. All the caregivers of the patient had an equal chance of participating in the study. Data collection instruments used were an objectively structured questionnaire and key informant guide which were used to solicit both qualitative and quantitative data. Descriptive statistics mainly measure of central tendency was used. Pearson correlation coefficient and logistic regression were used to determine the magnitude of the correlation. Qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis, similar themes were grouped. The findings indicate majority of the respondents 191 (63%) were female while 218 (72%) of the respondents did not know the name of the condition the patient was diagnosed with. Knowledge on schizophrenia significantly depended on the age of the caregiver (Pr = 0.001) and the length of time the caregiver had taken care of the patient and knowing the patient (Pr = 0.001) (Pearson chi2). Further modelling of these variables using logistic regression showed that caregivers’ who have spent a long period with the patient are 3 times more likely to have a more positive attitude and be more knowledgeable compared to those who have spent a lesser period with a schizophrenic patient. The variable period with the patient is the most meaningful variable compared to the other variables in the model. Increasing the level of knowledge regarding the condition makes the caregiver more effective in their role as the patient’s support system. These findings are a good opportunity for the formulation of interventions based on the identified gaps resulting to caregiver’s full involvement in the care and management of the patient.

Published in American Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience (Volume 6, Issue 1)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajpn.20180601.13
Page(s) 15-27
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Attitude, Knowledge, Caregivers, Schizophrenia

References
[1] Atwoli, D. L. (2014, October 5). No better time to address mental illness. Sunday Nation. Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya: Sunday Nation.
[2] Awaritefe, E. (2005). Complementary attitudes to mental illness in Nigeria. Africa Journal of Psychiatry, 1, 37-43.
[3] Barbato, A. (1998). Schizophrenia and public health (1 ed.). Geneva: World Health Organization.
[4] Barry, P. (Ed.). (2002). Mental health and mental illness (6th ed.). New York: Lippincott- Raven Publishers.
[5] Caqueo-Urízar, A. (2011). Attitudes and burden in relatives of patients with Schizophrenia in a middle income country.. Coping with Schizophrenia. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3191329/.
[6] Coursey, A. (2001). Impact of an educational support group of family participants who take care of their schizophrenic relatives.. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, II (57), 232-236.
[7] Dickson, A. H. T. H. e. S. R. o. C. B. J. u. A.-F. R. i. W. R. u. A. (2002). Attitudes about Schizophrenia from the pilot site of the WPA; worldwide campaign against the stigma of Schizophrenia. [Epidemoilogy journal]. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiology 37 (10), 475–482.
[8] Gabriele et al. (2007). Caregiver psychoeducation for Schizophrenia. American Psychiatic Association, 22 (7), 479-480.
[9] Gomez, W. (2003, 12th June, 2003). Shifting blame from ill relatives. Schizophrenia bulletin, 2, 574-581.
[10] Holmes et al. (1999). Changing Attitudes About Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia bulletin, 25 (3), 156-178.
[11] Kavanagh, D. (2007). Schizophrenia on overview and practical handbook. London: Chapman and Hull.
[12] Lieberman, J. (2004). Comprehensive care of Schizophrenia. A textbook of clinical management. New York: Martin Dunity limited.
[13] Lynnae et al. (2006). African-American Community Attitudes and Perceptions toward Schizophrenia and Medical Research: An Exploratory Study. Journal of the medical associatioc, 98 (1), 10.
[14] Magaru, M. (2012). knowledge, attitudes and practices of caregivers of patients with Schizophrenia in port moresby, papua new guinea. Unpublished Academic, University of Papua New Guinea, Papua New Guinea, Papua New Guinea.
[15] Murray Robin, J. P., Cannon Mary. (2008). The epidemiology of Schizophrenia (Vol. II). New York: Cambridge University Press.
[16] Ndetei et al. (2009). Perceived economic and behavioural effects of the mentally ill on their relatives in Kenya: a case study of the Mathari Teaching and Referral Hospital. Africa Journal of Psychiatry, 12 (1), 293-299.
[17] Ngugi, A. M. (2011). Silenced minds; the systemic neglect of the Mental Health system in Kenya.
[18] Noreen, F. C. (Ed.). (2000). Psychosocial interventions for people with Schizophrenia (3rd ed.). Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.
[19] Oginga, A. (2009). Respecting the rights and needs of mentally ill people living in Laikipia, Meru South, Nyeri, and Nyandarua Baseline. [Baseline study report]. Basic needs UK in Kenya rural program, 1 (1), 54-66.
[20] Otony, D. (2008). Psychiatric Nursing (1 ed. Vol. 1). Toronto: Thomson delmar learning publisher.
[21] Reine et al. (2004). Caregiver burden in relatives of persons with Schizophrenia: an overview of measure instruments]. Overview measurement of instruments. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14567165
[22] Silvano, A. (2009). Interpretation of Schizophrenia London: Granada Publishing Limited.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Edna Anab, Agatha Christine Onyango, Catherine Mwenda. (2018). Caregiver’s Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Care of Schizophrenia at Mathari Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya. American Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, 6(1), 15-27. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajpn.20180601.13

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Edna Anab; Agatha Christine Onyango; Catherine Mwenda. Caregiver’s Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Care of Schizophrenia at Mathari Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya. Am. J. Psychiatry Neurosci. 2018, 6(1), 15-27. doi: 10.11648/j.ajpn.20180601.13

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Edna Anab, Agatha Christine Onyango, Catherine Mwenda. Caregiver’s Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Care of Schizophrenia at Mathari Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya. Am J Psychiatry Neurosci. 2018;6(1):15-27. doi: 10.11648/j.ajpn.20180601.13

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ajpn.20180601.13,
      author = {Edna Anab and Agatha Christine Onyango and Catherine Mwenda},
      title = {Caregiver’s Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Care of Schizophrenia at Mathari Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya},
      journal = {American Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience},
      volume = {6},
      number = {1},
      pages = {15-27},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajpn.20180601.13},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajpn.20180601.13},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajpn.20180601.13},
      abstract = {Schizophrenia is a mental disorder which is a major public health concern since it affects the quality of life of the schizophrenic patient. The patient requires a caregiver to support them in the entire phase of the condition. Caregiver’s knowledge facilitate recognition of mental illness and health-seeking behavior. The aim of the study was to assess the caregiver knowledge and attitude regarding care of Schizophrenia. The study was conducted at Mathari Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya where the respondents were the caregivers of the schizophrenic patients. The research design used was cross-sectional mixed method. A total of three hundred and three respondents participated in the study, the respondents were selected by utilizing systemic sampling technique. A list was generated as the sampling frame every 3rd patient on the list was selected. All the caregivers of the patient had an equal chance of participating in the study. Data collection instruments used were an objectively structured questionnaire and key informant guide which were used to solicit both qualitative and quantitative data. Descriptive statistics mainly measure of central tendency was used. Pearson correlation coefficient and logistic regression were used to determine the magnitude of the correlation. Qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis, similar themes were grouped. The findings indicate majority of the respondents 191 (63%) were female while 218 (72%) of the respondents did not know the name of the condition the patient was diagnosed with. Knowledge on schizophrenia significantly depended on the age of the caregiver (Pr = 0.001) and the length of time the caregiver had taken care of the patient and knowing the patient (Pr = 0.001) (Pearson chi2). Further modelling of these variables using logistic regression showed that caregivers’ who have spent a long period with the patient are 3 times more likely to have a more positive attitude and be more knowledgeable compared to those who have spent a lesser period with a schizophrenic patient. The variable period with the patient is the most meaningful variable compared to the other variables in the model. Increasing the level of knowledge regarding the condition makes the caregiver more effective in their role as the patient’s support system. These findings are a good opportunity for the formulation of interventions based on the identified gaps resulting to caregiver’s full involvement in the care and management of the patient.},
     year = {2018}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Caregiver’s Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Care of Schizophrenia at Mathari Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya
    AU  - Edna Anab
    AU  - Agatha Christine Onyango
    AU  - Catherine Mwenda
    Y1  - 2018/01/16
    PY  - 2018
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajpn.20180601.13
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajpn.20180601.13
    T2  - American Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience
    JF  - American Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience
    JO  - American Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience
    SP  - 15
    EP  - 27
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-426X
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajpn.20180601.13
    AB  - Schizophrenia is a mental disorder which is a major public health concern since it affects the quality of life of the schizophrenic patient. The patient requires a caregiver to support them in the entire phase of the condition. Caregiver’s knowledge facilitate recognition of mental illness and health-seeking behavior. The aim of the study was to assess the caregiver knowledge and attitude regarding care of Schizophrenia. The study was conducted at Mathari Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya where the respondents were the caregivers of the schizophrenic patients. The research design used was cross-sectional mixed method. A total of three hundred and three respondents participated in the study, the respondents were selected by utilizing systemic sampling technique. A list was generated as the sampling frame every 3rd patient on the list was selected. All the caregivers of the patient had an equal chance of participating in the study. Data collection instruments used were an objectively structured questionnaire and key informant guide which were used to solicit both qualitative and quantitative data. Descriptive statistics mainly measure of central tendency was used. Pearson correlation coefficient and logistic regression were used to determine the magnitude of the correlation. Qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis, similar themes were grouped. The findings indicate majority of the respondents 191 (63%) were female while 218 (72%) of the respondents did not know the name of the condition the patient was diagnosed with. Knowledge on schizophrenia significantly depended on the age of the caregiver (Pr = 0.001) and the length of time the caregiver had taken care of the patient and knowing the patient (Pr = 0.001) (Pearson chi2). Further modelling of these variables using logistic regression showed that caregivers’ who have spent a long period with the patient are 3 times more likely to have a more positive attitude and be more knowledgeable compared to those who have spent a lesser period with a schizophrenic patient. The variable period with the patient is the most meaningful variable compared to the other variables in the model. Increasing the level of knowledge regarding the condition makes the caregiver more effective in their role as the patient’s support system. These findings are a good opportunity for the formulation of interventions based on the identified gaps resulting to caregiver’s full involvement in the care and management of the patient.
    VL  - 6
    IS  - 1
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Department of Public Health, Maseno University, Kisumu, Kenya

  • Department of Nutrition and Health, Maseno University, Kisumu, Kenya

  • Department of Medical and Surgical Nursing, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya

  • Sections