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KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES OF CLIENTS ON ANTIPSYCHOTIC ADVERSE EFFECTS AT BWAILA PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC-LILONGWE. BY ZIONE MAJAWA CHINOKO St. John of God College of Health Sciences, Mzuzu. INTRODUCTION. Antipsychotic adverse effects are the major reason for non-compliance to treatment.
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KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES OF CLIENTS ON ANTIPSYCHOTIC ADVERSE EFFECTS AT BWAILA PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC-LILONGWE BY ZIONE MAJAWA CHINOKO St. John of God College of Health Sciences, Mzuzu.
INTRODUCTION • Antipsychotic adverse effects are the major reason for non-compliance to treatment. • Antipsychotic adverse effects are undesirable, non-therapeutic and often predictable consequences of antipsychotic drugs (Fortinash & Worret, 2003:676). • Knowledge of these helps clients manage the adverse effects. • Not much information has been documented on clients’ knowledge, attitudes and practices in Africa and let alone in Malawi. • Studies done in Western countries have shown that clients lack knowledge on the potential adverse effects and their management as a result most of them stop taking these medications.
AIM OF THE STUDY • To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of clients on antipsychotic adverse effects at Bwaila psychiatric clinic in Lilongwe.
METHODOLOGY • Quantitative study, cross-sectional descriptive design. • Eighty (80) clients were sampled using systematic sampling. • A self developed questionnaire was used to collect data. • Ethical clearance, institutional authorization and consent for the study were sought from University of Malawi - KCN, the District Health Officer - Lilongwe district, and participants of the study respectively. • SPSS was used to analyze data. Descriptive statistics were used to describe and analyze the selected variables.
RESULTS • Sample description: • All 80 clients who were sampled participated, giving a 100% response rate. • The mean range was 31-40 years. The majority of the study subjects were men, 63% (n=50) . • 46.25% (37) of the subjects were married, 37.5% (30) were single, 12.5% (10) were divorced and the remaining 3.75% (3) were widowed.
RESULTS • Knowledge of antipsychotic adverse effects • 58 out of 80 had never been informed about potential adverse effects (73%). • 64 out of 80 had inadequate knowledge (80%). • 65 out of 80 did not know how to manage the adverse effects (81%).
RESULTS • Attitudes of clients towards antipsychotic adverse effects • 53 out of 80 had negative attitudes (66%). • 64 out of 80 indicated that they can recommend their friends and relatives to start antipsychotics if need arise (80%). • Practices after experiencing adverse effects • 61 out of 80 had good practices (76%). • 52 out of 80 respondents indicated to have never stopped taking treatment despite experiencing the adverse effects (65%).
DISCUSSION • The findings on knowledge were similar with most studies, nurses concern is to alleviate the psychotic symptoms forgetting that the drugs might cause discomforts which might lead to treatment non-compliance. • On attitude, the findings are similar with most studies where the majority had negative attitudes. • However on practices the findings differed with the study findings of Mitchel and Selmes (2007:4) where 82% reported missing doses or stopping treatment earlier than recommended because of the experienced adverse effects.
DISCUSSION • Study limitations and implications • Generalizability difficult as it only focused in Lilongwe (Bwaila). • Study representation - subjects not equally represented (gender). • Validity of the tool - self developed.
RECOMMENDATIONS • Psycho-education on common antipsychotic adverse effects and other nursing strategies that promote awareness should be reviewed regularly. • Nurses should plan their daily activities which must include issues of psycho-education, nurse managers must ensure that these are followed. • Refresher courses on antipsychotic adverse effects and their management should be done regularly to all health service providers. • Similar study should be done in all mental health institutions. • Research should be done to assess knowledge of health care providers on antipsychotic adverse effects and their management.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS • Mr. Michael Chisimba Nyirenda and Dr. I.W.A Musisi my supervisors.