Caregivers’ Knowledge and Involvement in the Prevention and Management of Relapse in Schizophrenic Patients at Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital New Haven, Enugu State

ABSTRACT Schizophrenia the most common type of mental illness affecting approximately 1% of the world population is often accompanied by relapse even while on treatment. This study assessed Caregivers’ knowledge and involvement in the prevention and management of relapse in Schizophrenic patients of Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Enugu. A descriptive cross sectional design was adopted. A sample of 197 participants was used. 43-item questionnaire developed by the researcher was used for data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistic were used to test hypotheses at a significant level of 0.05, results show high rate of Schizophrenic relapse at Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Enugu (FNHE) (97.1%). Majority of the Caregivers have knowledge of prevention and management of schizophrenic relapse respectively. Caregivers’ involvement in the prevention and management of Schizophrenic relapse are high (mean = 3.20) and (mean = 2.42). Among the measures adopt by caregivers’ in the prevention of Schizophrenic relapse include providing his/her basic needs (p>.05). Making sure he/she takes his/her drugs always (p>.05). Avoiding using strong words on him/her (p> .05). Avoiding fighting him/her (p >.05). Giving him a sense of belonging by allowing him/her contribute in some family issues (p>.05). Making sure his /her drugs are always available (p>.05). Always avoiding stigmatizing words on him/her (p>.05). Helping him to take his /her drugs regularly (p>.05). In the management, caregivers adopt the following measures: Rushing him to the hospital immediately (p>.05). Calling his /her personal doctor (p>.05). Calling the neighbors to help calm him down (p>.05). However, little differences were found in the prevention and management of schizophrenic relapse by caregivers with reference to gender, occupation, locality and level of education. The study concluded that majority of caregivers of schizophrenic patients have knowledge of schizophrenic relapse and were also involved in the prevention and management of the problem. The study recommended that all hands continue to be on deck towards reducing the increasing rate of schizophrenics relapse among schizophrenias.