ABSTRACT
The problem of every hospital when the targeted objective is not
achieved is that there is something wring either with health care
givers, the patients or the general public. In order to improve the
standard of health of the patients and keep them progressively fit. The
reason why such lapse are present here to be sought and the remedy met
in order to achieve the set objective of the hospital.
This study is based on the Attitude of nurses towards Relapse
prevention among psychiatric patients in Federal neuropsychiatric
hospital Barnawa Kaduna. The aim and objective of this study are all
directed towards bringing out lasting solutions to curtail this menace.
It also intends to actively involve the management of the hospital
especially on employing new and scientific approach to holistic patient
care. The instruments used for data collection were from interview and
Questionnaire which were represented in tabular form, bar chart, pie
chart and percentages. Nurses were used for the study .the data
collected were analyzed. The result showed that many factor contribute
to the effect of relapse.
All these can be prevented through adequate Education, Family
oriented therapies, good social support, compliance and keep the
follow-up appointment.
CHAPTER ONE
Psychiatric illness has fascinated and confounded healers, scientist
and philosopher for centuries, it symptoms have been attributed to
possession by demons considered to be punishment by the gods for the
evil done or accepted as evidence of the inhumanity of its sufferers
victims. Thus explanation resulted in enduring stigma for those whose
were diagnosed with such disorders. Even today, much of the sigma
persist although it has less to do with demonic possession than with
society’s unwillingness to shoulder the tremendous cost associated with
mental illness.
Relapse is one of the most severe problem of mental health care
givers. It is common in about 1.3% of the already treated cases of
mental illness or more than two million people (U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services [USDHHS] 1999). Its economic cost is envious.
Direct cost of relapse treatment expenses of most psychiatric illness
were estimated 2.5% of the total treatment of first hand mental illness
care budget in 1998 (American Psychiatric Association [APA] 2000).
The last year for which these data were available (USDHHS, 1999). In
1997, this accountant for $23.6 billion of mental health care dollar
spent. The indirect cost such as lost of wages, premature death and
incarceration were estimated to be $46 billion in the first half of 1998
(APA, 2000).
Further unemployment among permanent disability is 10% (APA 1998).
The cost relapse in terms of individuals and family suffering are
probably inestimable.
Despite the current trend in modern treatment, there is still an
alarming rate of relapse and the reoccurrence of psychiatric illness
globally. Individual who ought to be productive and responsible in life
are wasting away on daily basis.
Today patients are required to stay for a short period of time in the
hospital admission and discharge to home environment to help reduce
dependency on the hospital care and reducing relapse. Also this helps to
reduce stigmatization and prevent complications (Feyinsayo, A. 2009).
This study will attempt an overview of Nurse and also to show how proper
utilization of psychiatric Nursing service will go a long way in
reducing and eradicating the ever growing cases of relapse among
psychiatric patients in Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Barnawa,
Kaduna.
1.2 Statement of Problem
The frequency of patients having readmission into the hospital over
the last few years has become a problem. This has made the achievement
of good control of patients’ symptoms and cure impossible.
Nursing Staff and the Hospital has suffered frustration seeing the
readmission of patients, whom were recently discharged home after being
stabilized on admission. Some patient relapse as soon as they are
discharged home. Other on trials discharge relapse while other still
relapse while on admission. Various factors ranging from financial
problems, lack of adequate staff have contributed to the relapse of
patients.
Some patients have about a day or two days journey distance to the
hospital resulting in poor monitoring and accessibility to the mental
health services. Other factors also include stigmatization and
dependency on care giver. All these have contributed in the frequency of
relapse experienced in the care of these groups of patient leading to
the social disability.
Hence, resulting in the following:
- Low manpower
- Untold hardship
- Financial constraints
- Societal nuisance
If not properly handled and solutions found, the economy may suffer
and the society will be at a loss apart from the untold hardship. This
is what motivated the researcher to investigate the cause, give
suggestions, remedy the situation and also reduce the high rate of
relapse.
1.3 Objective of the Study
1. To evaluate the relationship between the educational
background of the Nurses and their attitude towards prevention of
relapse.
2. To ascertain he relationship between the status of the Nurse
and her ability to prevent relapse among psychiatric patients.
3. To determine the relationship between the experience of the Nurse and their ability to identify symptoms of relapse.
4. To find out whether poverty can predispose psychiatric patient to relapse.
5. To determine the relationship between drug compliance among psychiatric patient and relapse prevention.
1.4 Significance of the Study
The significance of this study is to help Nurses develop a positive
attitude towards the care to the psychiatric patient thereby reducing
the incidence of relapse.
1.5 Research Questions
1. What is the relationship between the educational background of the Nurse and their attitude toward relapse prevention?
2. What is the ability of the Nurse towards Relapse prevention among psychiatric patients?
3. What is the experience of the Nurse toward identifying symptoms of relapse?
4. Can poverty predispose psychiatric patients to relapse?
5. Can drug compliance prevent relapse among psychiatric patient?
1.6 Scope of the Study
The scope of this study is restricted to Federal Neuropsychiatric
Hospital Barnawa Kaduna which is one of the tertiary healthcare
institutions owned by the federal Government of Nigeria.
1.7 Limitation of the Study
Financial Constraint as there is no adequate Funds.
The limitations of this study were due to lack of time due to the limited time within which the study had to be carried out.
1.8 Operational Definition of Terms
- Attitude: The way you think and feel about something.
- Disability: Any restriction or lack of
ability to perform an activity in the manner or within the range
considered normal for a human being.
- Management: The process of treatment or control of disease or disorders or the care of patient who suffer them.
- Nurse: A person whose job is to care for people who are ill.
- Psychiatric Nursing: This is a branch of medicine that deals with the prevention, treatments, diagnosis, cause of mental illness.
- Prevention: To keep away from happening or arising of stop from occurring.
- Psychiatric Patient: Person who suffers from mental illness which could be minor or major.
- Rehabilitation: Restore to effectiveness or normal life by training especially after illness.
- Relapse: The return of disease after an interval of convalescence.