CAREGIVERS' KNOWLEDGE AND INVOLVEMENT IN THE PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF RELAPSE IN SCHIZOPHRENIC PATIENTS AT FEDERAL NEUROPSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL NEW HAVEN, ENUGU STATE

📄 Project Abstract

Schizophrenia the most common type of mental illness is a chronic and disabling psychiatric illness that affects approximately 1% of the world's population. It is often accompanied by relapse even while on treatment. Relapse rates vary from 50% to 92% and are similar in developed and developing countries, despite the former having well-established mental health services (Davis, 2014; Hogarty & Ulrich, 2013). Unfortunately, psychotic relapse is so common, with up to 60% of all patients having a relapse within the year of being hospitalized (Davis, 2014; Hogarty & Ulrich, 2013). With the total cost of hospital care for patients with schizophrenia exceeding two billion dollars annually (Weiden & Olfson, 2014) relapse represents a significant public health problem. The personal costs associated with relapse-including impaired role functioning, disrupted interpersonal relationships and demoralization is also considerable. Though new medications have improved the course of illness for many ...