Abstract

ESTIMATION OF TREATMENT COMPLIANCE IN SCHIZOPHRENIA IN GUNTUR CITY

Dr. Sridhar Ravikrindi*, Dr. Hari Krishna Kommanaboina, Ratna Kumari Yejerla, Siva Sai Kunta

Abstract

Background: Schizophrenia is psychiatric illness, characterized by abnormality in thinking, language skills, change in perception and the sense of self. Its manifestations are mainly delusions and hallucinations. A detail study of treatment compliance will provide the insight requirement to improve or take precautions to decrease disease progression. Objective: This study is conducted to study the treatment compliance in schizophrenia patients. To know the treatment compliance in Schizophrenia. Assessment of positive and negative symptoms. To assess the compliance in Schizophrenia using ROMI scale. Methodology: The prospective, observational study was conducted in outpatient department of psychiatry. Schizophrenia patients were enrolled into the study by considering inclusion and exclusion criteria. Details of demography, treatment and other medical details were captured in patient data collection from a baseline. Results: Nearly 53% of this study sample were non-compliant to medication. A significant association has been found between noncompliance and Gender, Education, unemployment, Marital status and Economical status. The significant reasons for non-compliance in our study were Denial of illness, financial burden, less access to treatment facilities, Side-effects of the medication, feeling that the medication was unnecessary and Substance abuse. Conclusions: Out of the total 110 patients initially considered for the study 10 were excluded based on the fixed exclusion criteria. The final study sample was 100 (100%) of which 53 (53%) were compliant and 47 (47%) were non-compliant to the medication Our study findings suggest that there is a need for identification and reduction of factors responsible for noncompliance in schizophrenic patients.

Keywords: Attitudes, non-compliance, schizophrenia.