Disability levels among outpatients with schizophrenia: effect of medication adherence

Abstract

Background: In order to sustain adherence to mental medication regimens, clients must begin therapy and continue taking their medications at the proper time, with the correct dosage, for longer periods of time. However, increasing adherence in individuals with schizophrenia may have a positive impact on both their overall state of life and society as a whole. Aim: was to investigate the severity of disability in outpatients with schizophrenia and to see its relationship with medication adherence at outpatient clinic in Beni Suef Psychiatric Hospital. Subjects and Methods: descriptive correlational design was used with а purposive sample of 50 Patients with Schizophrenia who were attended at outpatient clinic including follow up treatment patients at Beni Suef psychiatric Hospital , Beni Suef city , Egypt . The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, The Medication Adherence Rating Scale and The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule version 2.0 were used for data collection. Result: 32% of patients were adherent, while 68% were non-adherent .52% of patients suffered from a severe psychiatric disorder, while 40% suffered from a moderate disorder Conclusion: Schizophrenia can lead to disability in various areas of life, including social functioning, occupational functioning, independent living skills, cognitive functioning, and self-care. Nearly half of schizophrenic patients in the study have high disability level and have suffered from severe psychiatric symptoms. Recommendations: It recommends that Practitioners in health care find real-life techniques to increase medication adherence in order to improve the therapeutic results, reducing or minimizing impairment.