Factors associated with relapse in patients with Schizophrenia at Mathari Hospital, Nairobi

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a chronic and disabling mental disorder occurring roughly in 1 % of people worldwide. Schizophrenia is often accompanied by relapses even while on treatment. Relapse rate vary from 50%-92% and are similar in both developed and developing countries, despite the former having well established Mental health services. This was a cross- sectional descriptive study carried out between October 2010 and July 2011 to determine factors associated with relapse in Schizophrenia at Mathari Hospital, Nairobi.

A total of 2009 family members or significant others accompanying patients with schizophrenia for re-admissions or visiting patients with schizophrenia in the wards were selected by random sampling. Schizophrenia was diagnosed using Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorder, 4th edition text revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria.

Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using Statistical package for social science (SPSS) and presented in frequency tables, bar graphs and pie charts. Relationship between independent and dependent variables was determined by calculating confidence interval and summary Chi-square statistics. P-value of :5.0.05 was considered significant. The findings indicated that majority of patients (81.8%) were aged between 17-46years with (54%) of patients having had their first episodes of schizophrenia between agesl7-26 years.

The results showed that factors associated with relapse in schizophrenia at Mathari hospital included, non-drug compliance and failure to attend follow-up clinic (67.9%), stressful life events (17.3%), and substance abuse (14.8%). Relapse rate was found to be 58%-97% .This calls for intensified psycho education to both patients and family members and also improvement of community mental health services