dc.description.abstract | The difficulties experienced by nurses in providing care to clients with substance dependency within rehabilitation institutions have been clearly identified in the literature (Brenda, 2007). Nurses form a core component in healthcare system; hence their role in the management of patients suffering from psychoactive substance dependence related problems is critical (Murray & Andrews, 2002). For a long time, health care provision strategies have not clearly defined the care approach that nurses should use to complement the care provided by other healthcare team members in the management of psychoactive substance dependent patients.
This multi-design study comprised of two phases. The phase one of the study entailed a desktop review of patients' records, telephone interview of participants and cross sectional study for the nurses, while phase two was an innovative-intervention study that utilized a two group randomized experimental study design.
The aim of the study was to innovate and implement a nursing intervention model for the care of institutionalized psychoactive substance dependent patients. The objectives of the study included; to describe the characteristics of psychoactive substance dependent patients, to establish the effectiveness of the Conventional Institutional Care Approach (CICA) provided to these patients in the study sites, and finally to innovate, implement and evaluate a nursing intervention model for the care of institutionalized psychoactive substance dependent patients.
The study was conducted in the city of Nairobi at four study sites that provide institutionalized care for psychoactive substance dependent patients. These sites were phase two experimental group. The level of satisfaction among nurses who administered the SRIM was 78.9% compared to 45% satisfaction with the CICA.
This study concluded that; PAS dependence relapse is high among patients managed using the CICA. Patients managed using the SRIM approach had significantly lower relapse rate (RR= 0.53, chi-square= 27.70, P=<O.OOOOI). Nursing staff expressed higher satisfaction with the SRIM than with the CICA.
Based on the findings of this study, the investigator makes the following recommendations; - There is an urgent need for revision and restructuring of the CICA in the management of psychoactive substance dependent patients.
- The institutions providing psychoactive substance management services may consider incorporating the SRIM approach in the management of psychoactive substance dependent patients
- The SRIM approach be implemented in the management of PAS dependent patients in other institutions across the country to establish its usefulness in management of these patients. | en_US |