Attitudes towards and beliefs about schizophrenia in Xhosa families with affected probands (original) (raw)
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Perceptions and Beliefs about Mental Illness (Schizophrenia) among Adults in Zaare Community
The burden of mental illness like schizophrenia is increasing and is particularly severe for people living in rural communities. Ghana adopted a community-based rehabilitation (CBR) for persons with mental illness to address the problem comprehensively. However, negative attitudes towards the mentally ill, stigmatization and discrimination constitute a serious barrier to CBR. The objective of the study was to assess societal beliefs and perceptions about people with schizophrenia, among the adult population in a rural community (Zaare) in the Bolgatanga Municipality. The study used a mixed method where both qualitative and quantitative techniques were employed. A sample size was determined using a systematic approach. The respondents held fairly positive views about the mentally ill, despite a few negative authoritarian and socially restrictive attitudes and views. Though participants appeared to be knowledgeable about the possible physical, social and environmental causes of mental illness such as accidents and genetic factors, 94% of all participants thought mental illness could be due to witchcraft/evil spirits, and 66% felt that it could be a consequence of divine punishment. This is an indication that stigma and discrimination against the mentally ill were still widespread among the respondents. The widespread belief in supernatural causes is likely to act as a barrier to designing effective anti-stigma educational programmes and as a result frustrating the implementation of CBR. There is a need in the Bolgatanga Municipality and elsewhere to develop strategies to change stigma attached to mental illness at both the rural and urban community levels. This paper is one of the first to report to be made on attitudinal research on mental illness in the Bolgatanga Municipal area and the Zaare community.
It has been well documented that schizophrenia presents a better clinical course in developing countries. Although there are many epidemiological studies showing this association, little research has been conducted to investigate the local representation systems for schizophrenia in these countries. This study focuses on cultural factors of schizophrenia, namely the local representation systems for the disease, as well as what is locally understood as deviant behavior and its acceptability, and mechanisms of social-cultural insertion or exclusion of patients with schizophrenia in Cape Verde, Africa. Randomized open interviews were carried out with the relatives of patients under treatment at the mental health out patient service of the Batista de Sousa Hospital (São Vicente Island) between the years 1994 and 1995. Interviews dealt with patients' life histories and disease related to problems, strategies employed by the family to cope with such problems, and comments on the socia...
Experssion of schizophrenia in black Xhosa-speaking and white English-speaking South Africans
South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
To investigate whether schizophrenia manifests itself differently in Xhosa-speaking South Africans, compared with English-speaking white South Africans. A comparative study of the presentation of schizophrenia in two groups of patients. A sample of 63 patients (43 Xhosa-speaking and 20 English-speaking) admitted to a large psychiatric hospital for the first time with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. The Present State Examination (PSE) was used to confirm the clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia. The Relatives' Rating of Symptoms and Social Behaviour (KAS-R) was used to obtain information on the behavioural and emotional expression of schizophrenia. A significantly higher prevalence of aggressive and disruptive behaviour was reported by relatives of Xhosa-speaking patients with schizophrenia of recent onset compared with English-speaking patients. The PSE elicited significantly more delusions of persecution, sexual and fantastic delusions, self-neglect and irritability in the Xhosa-s...
The content of delusions in a sample of South African Xhosa people with schizophrenia
BMC psychiatry, 2017
Although the relationship between cultural beliefs and schizophrenia has received some attention, relatively little work has emerged from African contexts. In this study we draw from a sample of South African Xhosa people with schizophrenia, exploring their cultural beliefs and explanations of illness. The purpose of the article is to examine the relationship between this cultural context and the content of delusions. A sample comprising 200 Xhosa people with schizophrenia participating in a South African schizophrenia genomics study were interviewed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I). Participant delusions were thematically analyzed for recurring themes. The majority of participants (n = 125 72.5%) believed that others had bewitched them in order to bring about their mental illness, because they were in some way jealous of the participant. This explanation aligns well with the understanding of jealousy-induced witchcraft in Southern African...
Schizophrenia: illness impact on family members in a traditional society – rural Ethiopia
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 2003
Background: Studies have consistently shown that both the subjective and objective dimensions of burden among family members of schizophrenia patients and other psychiatric disorders are prevalent. However, as most of these reports were from western societies, we lack information on the subject in developing countries. Method: The study was conducted within the framework of the ongoing epidemiological study of course and outcome of schizophrenia and bipolar disorders in a rural population of 15–49 years of age. Three hundred and one cases of schizophrenia and their close relatives participated in the study. Results: Family burden is a common problem of relatives of cases with schizophrenia. Financial difficulty is the most frequently endorsed problem among the family burden domains (74.4 %). Relatives of female cases suffered significantly higher social burden (Z = 2.103; p = 0.036). Work (Z = 2.180; p = 0.029) and financial (Z = 2.088; p = 0.037) burdens affected female relatives more often than males. Disorganised symptoms were the most important factors affecting the family members in all family burden domains. Prayer was found to be the most frequently used coping strategy in work burden (adj. OR = 1.99; 95 % CI = 1.08–3.67; p = 0.026). Conclusion: Negative impact of schizophrenia on family members is substantial even in traditional societies such as those in Ethiopia where family network is strong and important. The scarce existing services in the developing countries should include family interventions and support at least in the form of educating the family members about the nature of schizophrenia illness and dealing with its stigma and family burden.
2011
Combined minimal medication and psychosocial interventions in acute-phase schizophrenic psychosis are seen by many as the way to address the problems inherent in the use of antipsychotic medication as the mainstay treatment for schizophrenic psychosis. This research report explores the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of South African psychiatrists working in public hospitals with regard to these alternative interventions. Eight psychiatrists were interviewed using a selfdesigned semi-structured questionnaire consisting mostly out of open-ended questions. A qualitative approach was adopted, while thematic content analysis was used to identify themes that address the aims of the research. Analysis revealed that: None of the participants had any in-depth knowledge of combined minimal medication and psychosocial interventions in acute-phase schizophrenic psychosis, while one participant was aware of their existence; The participants were unanimously opposed to the use of psychological interventions in acute-phase schizophrenic psychosis, as medication is viewed as the mainstay in treatment, with psychosocial and psychological interventions seen only as an adjunct, and contraindicated in the acute phase; Schizophrenia is viewed as a biological disorder; The majority of participants were not willing to minimize or withhold medication, as psychosis is seen as toxic to the brain, while one participant did report delaying medication in cases where there was uncertainty around diagnosis; The lack of resources in South African mental health care greatly influences treatment approaches.
Attitudes and Subjective Views of Caregivers of Persons Living with Schizophrenia in Harare
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science
Schizophrenia is one of the most seriousand often one of the most disabling-types of mental illness. It is believed that about 1 % of the world's adult population suffers from it. As a result of its severity, mental health institutions are a frequent stop for many schizophrenic patients. It is chronic, complex and challenging psychiatric disorder that needs close monitoring. There are diverse cultural beliefs, etiologies, interventions are based on caregiver perceptions based on cultural beliefs. Most relapses are triggered by caregiver negligence due to lack of knowledge. Because of the severe disabling effect on the ill person, schizophrenia renders the victim totally dependent on the caregiver. And this study looks at the perceptions and attitudes of caregivers, who are the main players of the upkeep of these patients. The study looks at emotional burden of the caregiver, and the possible ways of empowering them. The researcher used à qualitative research methodology to explore the emotional caregivers' perceptions and appraisals of schizophrenia. It was noted that caregivers of schizophrenia are emotionally wounded, and often poorly informed about the illness. The research recommends the bi-focal intervention approach, which recommends the inclusion of the caregiver in the treatment plan. The study also recommends government assistance to the caregivers and or family of schizophrenic persons
World Journal of Public Health, 2020
Schizophrenia is a mental disease that affects how a person feels, behaves and thinks. About 51 million people worldwide suffer from Schizophrenia globally. The main objective of the study was to determine factors that influence the knowledge and attitude of the caregivers of schizophrenic patients at Mathari Teaching and referral Hospital. Caregiver's knowledge facilitates recognition of mental illness and health-seeking behavior. A cross-sectional descriptive study design was carried out to assess factors influencing knowledge and attitude among the caregivers of patients with schizophrenia at Mathari teaching and referral hospital, Kenya. To generate qualitative information, on knowledge and attitude the nurse in charge of the ward was selected as key informants. Data was collected using questionnaire and key informant interview. Qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis, similar themes were grouped. Schizophrenia was diagnosed using diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorder (DSM-V-TR) criteria. A total of 303 caregivers visiting the patients with schizophrenia in the wards were selected for study using systemic sampling technique. Pearson correlation coefficient, logistic regression and multiple regression was used to determine the magnitude of the correlation between dependent and independent variables. Most (72%) of the participants did not know the name of the condition which the patient was suffering from. Majority, 164 (54.1%) of the caregivers had a positive attitude towards schizophrenia. There was a perfect positive correlation with the length of time the patient had suffered from the condition (.08423 zero order) with the knowledge of the caregiver. From the study finding, there was a perfect positive correlation with age, gender, highest level of education and nature of occupation (.06543, .04186, .0088 and .0039) with the knowledge of the caregiver. There was also a perfect positive correlation with age, gender religion, relationship to client, and nature of occupation (.0054, .0009.0357, .0574 and 0068 zero orders respectively). Study findings indicated a positive correlation between knowledge and the attitude since a caregiver with more knowledge had a positive attitude. The study recommends, treatment literacy classes for caregivers of schizophrenia patients.
INDONESIAN NURSING JOURNAL OF EDUCATION AND CLINIC (INJEC)
Introduction: Families who care for schizophrenia patients will experience various challenges, which are influenced by the family's knowledge and understanding of schizophrenia. This study aims to explore the family's understanding of schizophrenia in their families in rural families in Indonesia in 2020.Methods: This study uses a qualitative research design with a phenomenological approach, which was conducted in East Java Provincial Health Office from July to October 2020. The study participants were five family members who cared for a schizophrenia patient at home. Researchers conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with participants and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.Results: Based on the thematic analysis, three main themes were found, including 1) Family doesn't understand schizophrenia; 2) Family ignorance about how to care for the patient; and 3) Schizophrenia patients are considered a burden.Conclusions: The family's ignorance ...