Adherence to Antipsychotic Medications and Its Determinants Among Patients with Schizophrenia at a Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Maiduguri, North East Nigeria

Author(s): Paul Otor Onah*, Siyaka AbdulLateef and Aliyu Ya Uba Kaigamma

Abstract: Adherence to antipsychotic medications and its determinants among patients with schizophrenia at a federal neuropsychiatric hospital in Maiduguri, North east Nigeria. Introduction: Adherence to long term treatment of schizophrenia is a huge challenge to clinicians, primarily because of cognitive impairment, depression, lack of insight and social isolation. Medication adherence reduces symptoms, lower incidence of relapse and re-hospitalization and improves patient social functioning in society. Factors that influence adherence vary widely it is important to understand factors that influence it so as to guide in the design of initiatives that support adherence. Objectives: To evaluate antipsychotic prescription pattern, assess level of adherence and determine factors that influence adherence. Methods: A total of 360 patient medical records were reviewed and relevant data were extracted. A 14-item pretested questionnaire and Morisky medication adherence scale (MMAS-8) were self-administered on patients. Data analysis: Data were entered into SPSS 20 for descriptive and inferential statistics. Factor analysis used principal component analysis, varimax rotation with Keiser Meyer-Olkin normalization and only items with factors loadings greater than 0.4 were used for further analysis. P values ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results/Discussion: Typical antipsychotic Medications were still widely prescribed in the hospital. Most patients received Trifluperazine Monotherapy While typical accounted for about 10%. This prescription pattern is not consistent with current recommendations that atypicals should be the first line antipsychotic drug. Majority of patients reported low level of adherence (70%) and it’s no surprise that medication related factors was one of the reasons for low adherence. Conclusion: It is important to emphasize the use of atypical antipsychotics because of their benefits of lower incidence of side effects and improvement in both negative and positive symptoms. Counseling and medication adherence support initiatives should be routinely practiced.

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