Risk Factors Associated With Relapse Following Treatment of the First Episode of Substance Induced Psychosis: a Review of Secondary Data at Mathari National and Referral Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Sustained use of substances increases the risk of developing psychosis distinct from primary psychotic illnesses making it a unique challenge that is tangible due to addiction. Certainly, the necessity to arrest this menace at the first episode is crucial to the mental health of the patient because of the complexities that arise with relapses. The addictive nature of the illness and the complications thereof such as psychosis have had an impact not only on the patient but as well as the caregivers and the health workers. Whilst the first psychotic episode's course may not be too severe, a relapse may lead to a non-remission of the psychosis exposing one to a more severe form of psychosis such as schizophrenia. Aim: The study’s aim was to assess factors associated with relapse of substance-induced psychosis following treatment of the first episode psychosis. Method: This was a retrospective study of secondary data with a targeted population of 191 respondents’ files at Mathari National Teaching and Referral hospital records, admitted for the treatment of substance induced psychosis over the period of 3 years between 2018 January to December 2020. The researcher designed a questionnaire checklist used to collect data. Data Analysis: SPSS version 25 was used to provide both descriptive and inferential statistics with confidence interval of 95% and a significant p value set at < 0.05. Results: Majority of the relapsed patients were male (81.9%), single 69.8% and 43.4% had attained secondary level of education and below. Education (p=0.013) and type of antipsychotic used (p=0.021) were the statistically significant risk factors for relapse. Conclusion: The risk of relapse of SIP is multifactorial however this study concludes that the level of education and first generation antipsychotic use are factors that would likely increase ones probability to relapse.......................................................................