1.1 Introduction
The psychiatric patient, in the minds of the Nigerian public, is responsible for their illness, especially when it is an alcohol and/or substance-related problem. This belief denies them the sympathy and understanding traditionally bestowed on the sick in African society (Ewhrudjakpor et al., 2009; Gureje et al., 2005). Moreover, it is the belief of most people in Nigerian society that psychiatric illnesses are afflictions caused by supernatural forces and, as such, require care by traditional and syncratic religious healers, rather than orthodox care (Ewhrudjakpor et al., 2009). Misunderstanding of psychiatric illnesses by the public as outlined above robs the psychiatric patient of, among other things, provision of satisfactory mental and physical healthcare services, even in the tradocultural context (Minas et al., 2009).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
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 problems 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).
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). 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, Aro in Abeokuta Area of Ogun State.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that 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 relapses as soon as they are discharged home. Other on trials discharge relapses 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 and 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.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Perception of Healthcare Providers toward Mental Patients’ Attempts to Prevent Relapses in Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To evaluate the relationship between the educational background of the Nurses and their attitude towards prevention of relapse;
- To determine the relationship between the experience of the Nurse and their ability to identify symptoms of relapse;
- To examine the relationship between drug compliance among psychiatric patient and relapse prevention;
- To find out whether poverty can predispose psychiatric patient to relapse; and
- To ascertain the relationship between the status of Nurse and her ability to prevent relapse among psychiatric patients.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Can poverty predispose psychiatric patients to relapse?
- Can drug compliance prevent relapse among psychiatric patient?
- What is the ability of the Nurse towards Relapse prevention among psychiatric patients?
- What is the experience of the Nurse toward identifying symptoms of relapse?
- What is the relationship between the educational background of the Nurse and their attitude toward relapse prevention?
