Abstract

INCLINATION TOWARDS MEDICATION AND REASONS FOR NONCOMPLIANCE IN PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA

Dinesh Mayakuntla*, Bola Shankar Vusurumarthi*, Vamsi Narayana Tanniru, Venkata Ramarao Nallani and Professor Rama Rao Nadendla

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Abstract

Aim of the study: The aim of the following study is to find out the compliance of patients toward medication and reasons for noncompliance in schizophrenia. Methodology: The prospective, observational study was conducted in outpatient department of psychiatry. Schizophrenia patients were enrolled into the study by considering inclusion and exclusion criteria. Details of demography, treatment and other medical details were captured in patient data collection from at baseline. Results: Nearly 53% of our study sample was non-compliant to medication. A significant association has been found between non-compliance and Gender, Education, Unemployment, Marital status and Economical status. The significant reasons for non-compliance in our study were Denial of illness, financial burden, less access to treatment facilities, Side-effects of them addiction, Feeling that the addiction was unnecessary and Substance abuse. Conclusions: Out of the total 110 patients initially considered for the study 10 were excluded based on the fixed exclusion criteria. The final study sample was 100(100%) of which 53(53%) were compliant and 47(47%) were noncompliant to them education. Our study findings suggest that there is a need for identification and reduction of factors responsible for noncompliance in schizophrenic patients.

Keywords: Attitudes, Non-compliance, Schizophrenia.