A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY ON ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES AMONG CAREGIVERS OF PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA
Dr. Venkata Kiran Vaddadi* and Dr. Mounika Bollu
ABSTRACT
Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness and caring for the schizophrenic patients is a challenging job for the caregivers whichputs an enormous burden emotionally, psychologically, physically and economically as well. Aim: This study is aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitude and practices among caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. Settings and Design: Cross sectional study design was used and the study was carried out on caregivers of patients attending psychiatric consultation clinic and in the psychiatry department of a tertiary care teaching hospital. Methods: A semi structured questionnaire was used to obtain the required data from caregivers accompanying the schizophrenic patients. Conclusion: Caregivers considered medical intervention is most important but they also advocated supportive interventions such as counseling and family support.This study suggested the need of educational programmes for the caregivers of patients by developing psycho-educational intervention and sensitization campaigns.
Keywords: Schizophrenia, Caregivers, Knowledge, Attitude and Practices.
[Full Text Article]
[Download Certificate]