Medication adherence among patient with schizophrenia attending outpatient department at National Institute of Mental Health and Hospital, Dhaka

Abstract

Medication adherence in patients with schizophrenia is under evaluated but is an important worldwide problem in psychiatry. Poor observance to medication is common, funding to substantial deteriorating of disease, death and increased wellbeing costs. It was a cross-sectional, descriptive type of study. Patients with schizophrenia was diagnosed by a specific psychiatrist using the DSM-5 criteria and 96 cases were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The cases were collected from outpatient department of NIMH, Dhaka, Bangladesh, by convenient sampling technique. After selecting cases, socio-demographic data were composed by direct interview using semi-structured questionnaire. Medication adherence in schizophrenia was sought out by applying relevant questionnaire. In this study medication adherence was 57.3%. Among several factors, most common factors for adherence were family support, relative encourage to attend clinic, relatives believe medicines are beneficial, relatives satisfied with quality of care and having no side effects of drugs. Several factors are responsible for adherence of medication in patient’s schizophrenia. So, more strategic mental health education program is needed for adherence of medication. As well as education to the family members about nature of the illness, need of medication and benefit of medication should be discussed. Bang J Psychiatry 2024;38(2): 49-57