Poor adherence to antipsychotics amongst schizophrenia patients in Nigeria

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the experience of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia in the low-income country of Nigeria. A phenomenological approach was adopted to explore the relationship of poverty and poor adherence to antipsychotics. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and analysed. A reiterative process allowed the development of two major categories. It was found that the experience of taking medication was associated with both wellness and side-effects, which could affect the ability to function. Poverty was associated with poor adherence to antipsychotics. The results show that poverty and poor adherence to antipsychotics significantly overlap and result in lack of money to purchase antipsychotics, food insecurity, feelings of vulnerability and social exclusion. Respondents' in this study experienced significant poverty, which impacted negatively on health and wellbeing, and this needs to be urgently addressed. The development of social policy to include the waiving of prescription charges for individuals within this group would not only ensure that healthcare services are available, but would also actively contribute to improving their healthcare outcomes.

Keywords:

• schizophrenia
• Nigeria
• medication
• compliance

Notes on contributors

Enaohwo Meshach O is a medical doctor with deep interest in the neurosciences, public health and health policy. In addition to his medical diploma, he holds an MSc in Community Health from the University of Sunderland, UK. He worked as a senior house officer at the federal neuropsychiatric hospital in Kaduna, Nigeria. He is currently a senior house officer in Neurosurgery at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, UK.

Kathryn King is a registered nurse, a registered nurse tutor and a principal lecturer in the Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sunderland. She has been involved in education for the past 20 years and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Kathryn has spent the last 10 years creating extensive overseas networking opportunities and has travelled widely in this capacity. Her research activity focuses on patient experience, with a specific interest in schizophrenia and adolescents' perceptions of their type 1 diabetes.

John Fulton is a principal lecturer in the Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sunderland. He teaches on a variety of programmes including the Professional Doctorate programme. His research interests are Social Exclusion and ethnographic approaches to social enquiry.